By Stevie Smith Nov 27, 2007, 10:55 GMT
Already honoured by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) for his considerable contributions to the videogame industry, ex-Sony Computer Entertainment (SCEI) president and CEO Ken Kutaragi has now been adorned with a second lifetime achievement award, this time from the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (AIAS).
The 'Father of PlayStation' to be honoured for his a lifetime of achievements brought to the evolution of the videogame industry. Credit. Sony Corp.
Bestowed via the upcoming Dice Summit 2008, the AIAS has named Honorary Chairman of Sony Computer Entertainment, Ken Kutaragi, as the recipient of the coveted 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be awarded to him on February 07, 2008, at the Interactive Achievement Awards ceremony in Las Vegas.
Globally recognised as the "Father of PlayStation," the videogame console that sparked an unprecedented popularity explosion within the industry, Kutaragi is to be honoured for "revolutionising" the placement of in-home entertainment through the creation and "monstrous success" attributed to the PlayStation brand.
To highlight the full effect of Kutaragi’s original creation, the PlayStation and PlayStation 2 consoles, which launched in 1994 and 2000 respectively, have combined to sell a staggering 230 million units around the world, playing a huge part in forming the current $25 billion USD videogame industry.
"Ken Kutaragi’s passion, innovative thinking and business savvy sparked a monumental movement that was unstoppable," enthused AIAS president Joseph Olin. "If it wasn’t for Ken and his concept of the original PlayStation, there wouldn’t be the billion dollar industry there is today. His contributions have clearly set new standards for developers, publishers and consumers worldwide."
Ken Kutaragi starting his lengthy career in 1975 at Sony Corporation’s research lab, where he earned a reputation for being an excellent problem solver and forward-thinking engineer. Kutaragi’s vision and foresight shifted to the forefront of the videogame industry in 1994 when his new gaming technology proposal was nurtured by Sony, and the original PlayStation console was born.
In 1999, following the global success of the PlayStation, Kutaragi was named president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment, which led to him spearheading the release of the PlayStation 2. In 2004, with the PS2 acknowledged as a resounding success, Kutaragi was named by Time magazine as one of the most influential people of the year.
"Ken Kutaragi is the smartest guy in the history of the video game business," trumpeted Trip Hawkins, founder of third-party publishing giant Electronic Arts and AIAS Hall of Fame member. "Without Ken, there is no Sony PlayStation and that is beyond comprehension."
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