BIA: Hell's Highway 'Realism' trailerPhil Harrison, President of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS) has announced his resignation from the company, and will make his departure on February 29.
Harrison joined Sony Electronics Publishing Ltd (later Sony Computer Entertainment Europe) in 1992, and subsequently went on to play an integral role in the launch of four PlayStation platforms, in addition to his duties in building key relationships with a variety of industry publishers and developers across the globe.
It has been confirmed the current President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI), Kazuo Hirai, will assume responsibilities of Sony Worldwide Studios following Harrison’s departure.
“As one of the founding members of SCE, Phil played a key role in the development and growth of the PlayStation business and our industry,” Hirai commented.
“It is sad to see him departing from SCE, but I wish to express my gratitude for his many invaluable contributions and also wish Phil the very best of luck in his future endeavors.”
“The past 15 years at Sony Computer Entertainment has been the defining journey of my life so far”, offered Harrison.
“I am grateful to all the PlayStation family for their incredible support, guidance and friendship. It has been a privilege to serve as part of the team and be inspired by them on a daily basis. I am so proud of everything PlayStation has achieved and will continue to support its future in every way I can.”
Harrison’s future plans are currently unknown at this point.

1st. Hes been bought by Microsoft
I always liked Phil :(
Say it isn't so.Phil was one of the MOST innovative and creative member of the ps brand,i just hope Kaz can exceed Phil's work or else this is gonna be a one h*ll of a bumpy ride for Sony.
loosing somebody like phil looks very bad for sony, doe's his resignation have anything to do with his statement he made too SCEJ about thier lake of focus on social gaming for the ps3?
OH NO!!!! now the japs are in charge! he's the one that didn't like their strategies, and he's going to let a jap be in charge?
Wasn't he the guy who make sure the EU didn't get screwed over too much tompared to the US and JPN?
He'll probably join Microsoft (X360 division) or EA
Hmmm he best not be going to microsoft!!!!
well i hope Kaz can do as well as Phil has done, all i can say is "good luck old chum" :-D
According to GameIndustry, he may be looking at Atari.
Flippin heck all the big wigs seam to be leaving companies at the mo. That bloke from MS, whats his name left to go to EA. Wonder where Phil is off to?
Bye
i dont have a good feeling on this one
Why?
Could this be because of the comments he made about being frustrated with SCEJ ? Hmmm, interesting, first the comments, now this.....
F*** SAKE MAN!!! this really sucks phil is a great guy and i think sony need him...he will defos b missed
I agree with ironmadien.. There's really not a good feeling about this.. With this possibly being a real good year for Sony too.. Home and all that other good stuff why walk away from that.. Damn Japs..
Phills a legend what a f**k up by sony i wonder whos behind the brains in th@ awful call?
wow...no!!!
damn them...
I SAID THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN!!!! If you check the story where Phil talks about his frustration with the Japanese I mentioned that this was my worst fear.
However, this is one time I hate being right. This sucks so bad...this is HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE news. I'm almost speechless. For God's sakes don't let this guy go to MS or Nintendo. Hopefully he'll go work for a movie company or music studio or something. ANYTHING but work for a competitor. Another gaming company might be cool but please, not the competition. He'll crucify the PS3 and will know all of its weak points and strike.
Sony get Phil back pronto!!!!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!! Not PHIL HARRISON. I liked him he was a great spokesmen for Sony why the sudden resign..... i wish him the best now
wtf........................................
I had a feeling this was going to happen ... He made a statement at GDC and i think he's unhappy about game developement in japan ... it's too bad looks like we are heading for trouble !!!
; (
I hope they take in a younger person (why not a girl?) that can make Sony look younger and more fresh. Phil was awesome but i think a smart/innovative person around 20-30 would be good for Sony. New flesh, new ideas. A person that actually like to play games even on E3 and so on.
I thought out of all the big players in the video gaming world, he had the most likable personality. Better than reggie, moore, allard and even kaz.
Wow didnt see this coming
Does somebody know his email address?
Kaz....that was the problem wiht sony in the first placce lack of diversity and them sticking to there stubborn ways....i guess we will see what happens
As soon as I read the headline, I instantly thought about Phil's comments he made about SCEJ, just as many of you have said. Not a good way to kick off the year Sony... Phil Harrison was very good for PS3. Honestly I'm a little shocked at the moment. It doesn't even seem real.....
This is because of what he said about SCEJ the other day. Sony doesn’t really take likely to insults especially when it’s aimed at the Japanese division.
Sony was found by Japanese and in the end they are a loyal Japanese company, I believe their Mission Statement reads;
"Become the company most known for changing the worldwide poor-quality image of Japanese products"
I think it's that serious, kind of scary if you ask me. This above mission statement was made in the early days of course, I’m not sure if it has been changed since the company went global.
I wish he could tell everyone why he is leaving.
Hmm, sad to see him go, he gave playstation a very friendly face and he always seemed so happy! I hope they get a decent replacement
Was he really that great as a spokesman for Sony? Didn't he claim rumble was last gen? Anyway, most of people don't even know about him. You guys are totally overreacting.
Oh noes!!! Pay him higher, do something!!! :(
This is really, really, really bad........... IMO I don't think Phil would be caught dead doing something for MS or Nitty, so I would look for him to be working with a studio. Phil was a 15 year employee so the issues behind this move must go very deep. I wish Phil the very best no matter where he goes.
i was starting to like him too bad. I dont get why people leave, its always someone who makes them wanna leave. How much of your free time can it take to mak speeches?
phil was a great guy. he will be missed and hope that he finds something to do with his spare time but i am really sad to see him go.
It really sucks that Phil is resigning, but I really don't think that Phil would Backstab Sony and start working for Microsoft. If Phil starts working for Nintendo on the Wii, I could really care less, but not Microsoft.
I just read an article online about Phil Harrison being shown a trailer of a "top secret" PS3 game that's supposed to come out in 2009 and the article was released just today ( Jan. 25th 2008) and in the article, Phil seemed to be blown away by the trailer that he was shown. But know Phil is resigning? I guess he wanted to take an early retirement or start his own business or something.
I really don't think that Phil is going to work for either Microsoft or Nintendo though.
Well, this has been a long time coming. I said it was trouble when Home was delayed last year with Kaz saying he was unhappy with it. We've heard no comments from Phil since. There was some kind of corporate smackdown over Home and where it was at the time. That Kaz is taking over Phil's duties says a lot too. He's not ready to hand over the development end to anyone else at this time; he must have something personal that he's overseeing there.
Anyway, too bad. We probably will never know all the details but I hope Sony has made a good move in letting him go. Who knows? Maybe things have gotten stale so it will be good. If not.....bad bad news. Phil was a great spokeman and seemed to have a real feel for the pulse of gaming and development. We'll see!
Sony's biggest asset is leaving? Glad he stuck around to give PS3 some momentum.
OGM!?! NOO!!! Phil is awesome. The best speaker SCE has...I always liked him...
Sad to see Big Phil go =[
wow, thats quite surprising... who's gonna take his job now?
What a surprise!! This does not sound good at all. I'm not sute but i think I just shed a tear.
it might be about the SCEJ
NOOOOOO. This guy actually gave damn good press conferences at the game shows. This really sucks.
=[[[[[... COME BACK TO US PHIL.. you were the best spokesperson, minus ur Ums. lol
psn id: gingo... this is a MASSIVE blow for sony he is one of the most influential and calm spokespersons i have ever seen and its a pity that his time at sony has come to an end
man i like phil alot sucks that he is going
I was sad when i heard old philly was leavin scea.But what are you gonna do.
I was sad when i heard old philly was leavin scea.But what are you gonna do.
It seems like everytime Sony starts gaining momentum in the videogame industry, things like people in management resigning or anticipated videogames always get delayed. Get your act together SONY!!!!!! Come on!!
I hope none of this is 'cause of the things he said about SCEJ or did he say that because he was going to resign anyway
Are you people really that stupid to believe that Phil would work for a competitor? Don't you know that Sony contracts big wigs such that they aren't allowd to work for a competitor if they resign? Besides, it's not like he was fired and is a disgruntled employee looking to hurt Sony, he RESIGNED, this was HIS decision, and his parting comments obviously point to the fact that he wants Sony to succeed, he is just getting burnt out and unhappy from his overwhealming responsibilities in his current position (not to mention dealing with the anti-social Japanese who cater only to the Japanese market).
So stop acting retarded, people. He's obviously going to take another role in the company somewhere, or a role in a producing company (like E.A. or Atari, where he can improve those brands that really need improvement, I'm looking at you EA sports).
He's gone its messed up i liked his presentations and he was a great speaker, but its cool how he said hes not leaving the playstation name etc. based on how he said he will always support playstation in any way.
WTF.... PHILLS GONE ? WHERE FINISHED.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! phil was the best! most likable out of all the other spokesmen! i feel like there must be something behind this......
Not looking good for ps3... That may be a sign that things arent going well...
Definitely a big blow to Sony's PR. He actually one of the few that was not stuck up or uptight about the things he was involved in. I still wonder what his future goal is if he even has any involvement in the gaming scene after this.
Sony lost there best speaker.
Phil Harrison is one of the greatest person that have worked on Sony/Playstation! I will surely miss you Phil!!! :(
A VERY VERY SAD DAY for us as PS3 owner. A true visionary has gone from the light of day!!!! It a sad thing to hear that Phil is gone, i hope the best for him where ever he goes. Sony you know you're really fuc?ing up, first Ken, then his number 1 inventor, then the cell production plant and now phil. The written is on the wall, those stock holders are to drive this company into the ground!!!!!!!!!!
What!!! I usually write more than one word....but this news came out of F***ing nowhere for me! This is going to be a crazy road from here on for SONY. I hope his replacement goes well.
I have a strong suspicion that he wont have gone to work for MS.
It is a shame as he was one of the few people involved in this industry that I liked.He always seemed nice and honest.
That was unexpected... O_O
Well I hope he has a plan for what he wants to do now. Goodbye Phil, it was a great ride.
I did not see this coming.
is it cause of the whole wii thing at GDC?
@5 Your comment is funny. Sony is a Japanese company, why does it seem strange a Japanese person is in charge? I wonder what made Phil leave. This is probably causing a lot of commotion for xbots.
i dont understand y he left . hes doin good things at sony so why stop ? i bet microsoft are happy phil was a cool guy.... well anyway i hope it was Worth It
WTF?????? *sigh* another one gone.
Why all this speculation and rumor about Phil going to MS or Nintendo? I doubt he's going to work for a competitor after 15 years with Sony.
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And I'm sure he had planned to resign before making that comment about SCEJ
I dont blame the guy - he's obviously had a gut full and decided to get out now. Sony Japan hasnt got a clue. My feeling is Playstation is alive on hype alone. How much longer can they keep giving promisses and never deliver anything?
Oh Phil it's sad to see you go, but seriously guys what's going on? This is already one too many big-wigs resigning from their jobs. Not only is it happening on the busisness side of things but take a look at politics too. Seriously though is the world comming to an end?