i think phil is leaving because of the disappointment at gdc08 i think

What dissapointment? I'm sure he isn't leaving due to anything negative going on at Sony. Maybe he's just interested in doing other things probably? That's really screwed up that he's leaving. He was my favorite.

Farewell Phil Harrison,Dark Sniper and his legion of SONY Snipers will never forget you!

$niper

I am shocked

is sony on it way down ?that maybe why he left he was complaining about fustrations like 3 days ago and it was posted on this site maybe he had enough ?

Left to join Microsoft, much?

Well this was kind of a shock what am I to do now join the Xbox camp.

Omg phils a legend why is he leaving

MS offered him a huge amount of cash to come work for them.

Didn't he say that he's pissed at Sony Japan just last week over social gaming?

http://www.gamesindustry.bi...

It's a Japanese company -- employees don't criticize their company or boss in public or the press.

Seems like he spoke out of his place, and so he suffered the consequence.

thats life, thats how business is they offer money to people and they accept to join

nooooooooo! PHIL WHY !!! NOO!

...for Sony. But than again, if someone offered me better money, I would quit too.

and deeply saddened.

He's such an innovator! Down to earth, an earth shattering loss to Sony entertainment.

I wonder what prompted his resignation.......hhmmm

I doubt they'd be able to get such a genuine person as phill to take his place. Such a shame.

But i geuss, 15 years is a long time.

EDIT: Harrison: "I...will continue to support its future in every way I can.”

Thank god! lol

But seriously, how will kaz manage BOTH jobs? Phills job is such a specialised and high management position, how can he POSSIBLY effectively run both arms?

Sad......very sad. I guess time will tell.

And also interesting, maybe he knew he was going to leave and that's why he said that thing about the japanese arm of Sony, and/or maybe that has to do with his resignation (i doubt it though), but its really sad for Sony. Big shock! Damn.

But it's a weird move from Phil. I'm surprised that SCE president will take his responsibilities too. How can he manage to handle two high level jobs in the same time?? It means there is a lack of planning or Phil's resigning is somehow related to his attack to the Japanese division for not supporting social gaming which may cause his resigning.

I really don't know. I'm still shocked.

i wonder who would take his place i mean phil was a great man.

oke well did not see that coming.

im a 360 fanboy and i gotta say: Theres nothing you can do no more his gone. Gone forever dont go phil stay with sony plz microsoft are evil:(

Please quit all your "sniper"/snipa bs ... it becomes booring and unorginal :S

With playstation 3 finally getting positive feedback, Phil now quits?

Whatever you do Phil, please don't go to EA.

They already have Peter Moore from MS. Just imagine if they took Phil next? EA is already beginning to hold the gaming world hostage as it is.

Kutaragi and Harrison, who've been around since day 1. I have a bad feeling that without at least one of these folks around, the PS4 is gonna take a turn for the worst.

But, oh well, this happens once in a while, I seriously doubt that this will have any impact whatsoever on the PS3.

why phil yyyyyyyyy dont leave sony!

What no Phil Harrison means no more ducks noooooooooooo

Doesn't seem like a smart move to leavy Sony at this stage in time - right when they're getting their wheels rolling.

If I were to take a guess I'd say he's probably getting ready to start an independent project.

Good luck Phil!

Best of luck in the future, old friend!

MWAH-HA-HA-HA!!!

When the janitor at Microsoft quits it means they're going out of business..

Why no talk like that from the Sony fans now?

he went to join ATARI there crap he should just stay with sony lol

He got tired of being the guy who had to explain all of Sonys stupid moves. I remember when PS3 first launched, and Sony was doing one stupid thing after another, it was Phil who was always stuck with the tuff questions from the media. Sony was just starting to come back, and now they are starting to do stupid stuff again, who knows what stupid crap Phil has seen behind the scenes that we have not heard about yet, he either quit or got fired, but I dont think he left on totally good terms.

Wish you to happy in your FUTURE.
Thanks a lot for all at Sony...

I am very sad to go,however I see this as an opportunity for Sony Computer Entertainment to make itself independent, over the years I have been with you I have had the best time in my life.

I am confirming my resignation from N4G too, I wish the best of luck to all.

I am Phil harrison, the former British corporate executive and a representative director of Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. (SCEI) and Executive Vice President of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE).

Cheers Phil!

As much as im enjoying all the conspiracy theories, perhaps he just fancied a change, these guys do have a private life you know.

He'll be really missed :( I was looking forward to see him announce games at E 3 ! This would be a tearfull goodbye :(

phil if ur leaving than im coming with you i dont care. Common man stay i mean atari's cheap we all know that and sony is the best am i right guys

HHAHAHA YOU BALD HEADED FREAK LMAOLOLOLL!!!! GOOD RIDDANCE!!!!

...at PS3 Attitude that Phil will be back in the gaming industry soon.

So if that's true, this is a pre-meditated career move by Phil. No executive (or career minded person at any level) ever leaves without somewhere to go to.

Leave your conspiracy theories at home on this one people - Phil is off because he wants to do something, and he already knows what that something is. I reckon we'll hear about it very soon...

They're going to hire someone to take over his spot in the new few months. It's sad to see Phil go, but he'll take a role just like Ken.

The genius has spoken.

Jumping ship hehe

He was hired to develop a gaming console not a DVD player.

Maybe hes bored of waitin 4 -
HOME,
L.B.P,
KillZone2,
PSN Cards(in U.K),
DS3 Pads(in U.K),
In-game XMB
etc etc :-/

Why does everyone assume that when a high profile exec leaves a company that the company is going down, it's just daft? Microsoft is doing just fine without Moore and Sony likewise will do just fine without Harrison, it's not like there is only one person in the world capable of doing this sort of job.

People come and go from companies all the time, the only reason such a fuss is being kicked up over this (and likewise when Moore left Microsoft) is because these people are in the limelight. There are people as important as Harrison and Moore who have left Sony and Microsoft in the last couple of years and you don't hear a squeak about them on N4G.

Why?

Because no one person holds a company as big as Sony or Microsoft together single handedly and the world is full of highly qualified people who are desperate to step into their shoes when people like Phil Harrison or Peter Moore leave.

Honestly, I despair at the ignorance of some people on this site.

EA will make their own console and surprise everybody I think. They are strong enough to do it now. Imagine Nintendo, Microsoft, SONY and EA.....

Best wishes Mr. Harrison, we appreciate everything you've done for us gamers.

what the F**k is going on at sony japan what the f**k are they think

I wonder who will take his place?

That's sad. I wish you the best of luck Phil.

I'm saddened byt his news to I liked him a lot ! If he goes to EA , the world as we know it is over ! World domination is upon us...

Ken and now this guy, some the oldest Sony execs that have been through the thick and thin. I actually liked this guy. Never liked Kaz, I hope that guy is not the replacement.

-UPDATE/ Phil Harrison resigns, Kaz Hirai to take over.

Ken the Father, not Phil a well respected son..GONE
What's going on with the Family Tree? This is in the same fashion Peter left MS, after like a conference or something and you never see it coming.

There was an article about Social Gaming the other day and about Japan not accepting or embracing..that should of been a clue, once someone disagrees about something like that...it makes you wonder, this can't be small. I'm convinced, there is noway Sony reproduce the PS2 feats.

Hard to replace/replicate that kind of EXPERIENCE.

Bit shocked at this news, but good luck to Phil, hes done a great job at SONY and wish him well for the future.

Much like when Peter Moore left Microsoft I don't think this really has anything to do something going on internally, and more has just left for personall reasons. Im mean his statement

'
The past 15 years at Sony Computer Entertainment has been the defining journey of my life so far. 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.'

Clearly shows hes just moving on for personal reasons such as a new experience.

Good luck to him however

Edit - I fail to see why people seem to think theres something wrong at sony. Ken left as he Retired (however still helps) and Phil has left for personal reasons. This happens all the time in business. Also IMO sony have been in a better position since Ken left as he was getting to aragrant towards the end of his job and Kaz has done a great job restoring the companies image.

Wow that sucks. Phil was the greatest PR person every. Maybe he got in trouble over what the said about the Japanese Gaming Market not being into social gaming. Sony better find someone is even on close the PR that Phil was.

I think he stuck his foot in his mouth at GDC, and was forced out for it that is ashame he will be missed

Ah man, i kinda liked this guy. He was the only one who made sense at sony. Farewell.

this can't be good, right??

Bye Phil!!

*Salutes*

NOOOO way he cant do this to us i got my ps3 in dec 2006 because of him he got very deep and open mind too .
and also he can make everything even cooler .
too bad .
and the ps4 problem is something we should care about in 2014 at least !!! to that time at least i should care about ps3 only

Shame. He seemed like a really nice guy too.

he tells it like it is. While Phil danced around alot giving answers to the press.

Anyways, peace out Phil-it was you who probably didnt want an in-game XMB.

When did they mention Bill Gates? What they said was any time someone leaves MS even if its the janitor Sony fans will talk about the demise of MS. It isnt that hard to understand really.

Well not be forced to retire but start up a new company with others but this time actually let it live to see the light of day.

a really wish he woulndt have to quit just wen i was getting used to seeing him, they better pick someone just as cool as him

....pretty odd time from him to pack and leave.

If Ken Kutaragi is the father of PlayStation, Phil Harrison has, these past 15 years, represented the face of PlayStation.

You were one of the best PR spokepersons. =*(

In my opinion... you will NOT be missed.

Thats too bad. He was one of the more likable execs in the business.

I always thought Jack Tretton would go before Phil

Sad to see Phil leave, I think he was one of more likable figures at Sony. Good luck to him.

Rumors has it that he is going to Atari, I hope that's wrong.

Indeed Strange because going to Atari after Sony would be a step down

i wish he wasnt leaving tho he should of at least stayed with them untill PS4..

Do your thing.

I was starting to like that guy.

Honestly, I think he might have left because Sony's probably using Microsoft's business tactics...and he doesn't want to see that. Either that or death threats...

Hopefully, they can find some hip youngster to fill the shoes. Actually, David Jaffe would work.

ROFLMAO....Soon to be joined by Kaz.

AND THANK YOU FOR THE FISH! q:

Could this be it?

Could this be Sony's huge transformation?

Harrison's gone. New blood reins!!!

Maybe it'll be a black guy...

"Chocolate rain! Some stay dry and others feel the pain..."

I wish Phil the best of luck. I hope the person who replaces Kaz, who got his job, has as much passion for the game as he did.

Jack tretton and Kaz on their way next. 2009 Ps3 will leave sony as well.

By far the biggest news of the year (until EA buys Take Two, that is). Kind of a weird decision, especially since the PS3 is just hitting its stride. So now Kutaragi and Harrison have departed in the PS3 era.

dont worry,the PS3 army will take it from here.CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGE!!!

he left because he knows they have lost the battle and ull see more ps3 staff leaving in november 2008 hahahahahaha!

ugh... i liked how phil handled himself. Hopefully we dont get another beat around the bush, bs'ing dude that doesnt know his face from his A$$. Oh well a dreamer can dream :)

WE LOVE YOU PHIL!!!

He did his job, he believed it was his time to leave; he's leaving with Huge success, he just helped set up the PS3 for the win.

Phil has been very vocal about his distaste for how Sony Japan wants to run things and i imagine it is behind his desire to leave.

either sony wanted him gone and gave him a chioce to quit or be fired or sony is in trouble and he knows it and decided to get out before the boat sinks or he got a offer he couldnt refuse like peter moores place over at ms.i think its the sinking boat because it seems there a lot of people leaving from major developers to pr guys ....it doesnt look good

Breaking news: nobody cares

Edit: gotta say one more thing ...funny to see the Xbots grasping at straws here. This won't affect the PS3 in the slightest and the 3fixme is DOOMED.

This is a mistake, he should have remained, I would have loved to see him helm SCE, or even the whole Sony corps. I don't doubt he can be replaced, though he was great for Sony. However, I don't know what better job he could have, and it would be horrible if he ends up serving at Microsh1t.

Shame to see you go phil, you did great for all PlayStation!

it was just this past E3... amidst all the scrutiny that sony was under, phil gave the media what ps3 needed. a clear, concise game plan for the future (not to mention with an every-man humbleness). i believe it was at that point that sony BEGAN to gain to ground, shying away from what the media believed was this "sony isn't listening to anyone" attitude. jack tretton, hirai and peter dille dont quite have the level headed presentation that harrison always possessed. This is a hit for sony but seeing how E3, TGS, and GDC are out of the way they have some time to re-coup before showing this loss. sony realizing the importance of his loss are already planning how to counter. we could hope that with harrison/ kutaragi being so involved for so long, that if they keep good ties with sony it may actually benefit whatever is in the works with his new leap to atari.... oh wait a minute thats right... its atari :(

He knows Sony is a crap company and he's sick of bowing all of the time. He's a giant imagine bowing to people that are 5 ft tall.

.

Thats a shame! Good luck Phil

P.S. i'll take your place! :D

I'm kindda sad to see him leave, but best of luck with his new job anyway.

Thanx Phil, good luck

That's too bad - he was one of the few execs that was worth listening to. Hopefully he's on to better things.

Phil Harrison is an Arsehole. I hope he rots in hell for all his lies.

This sucks Phil Harrison I thought was one of the smartest people on the Team for Playstation. He Will be missed. I wounder if the reason not much was shown for GDC from Sony was because Phil would be leaving and would not be allowed to see the stuff that would be shown ahead of time because He would soon not be apart of the company any more.

I wish Him luck and Hope every thing works out great for him and his family.

Totally out of the blue in my mind.

He will probably say he left because of personal reasons like Peter Moore did as well.

oh, that's too bad to see him leave. i wish him the best and i hope they find a good person that will carry on for his role.

Good bye Phil and i hope you do well in your future endeavors. As you clear stated or hinted at that you will try to help Sony in anyway possible while you are out there on your own. I hope you go to EA. Moore vs Harrison. Anyway Sony should survive. So it's Back to business for them and gaming for us.

Yes.

I believe it was his time. He moved on from the gaming industry...he served his time. He was a great man and a great innovator. He will go down in Wikipedia as one of the greatest.

What needs to happen now...Kutaragi needs to help make the PS4 alongside Kaz, the whole PS3 team, and Insomniac. I believe they could be a huge help with creating a system.

DAMNN now this sht is gettn stupid

“The past 15 years at Sony Computer Entertainment has been the defining journey of my life so far,” said 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 IT'S FUTURE IN ANYWAY THAT I CAN.”

nooooooooo!!!!

But he's done an amazing job, and any company that gets him to join their ranks is very lucky indeed.

Picture related. http://i26.tinypic.com/2ntj...

Came as a surprise, but why? He has been around since the start of the Playstation and has contributed with a lot of innovation and it's really damn sad to see him quit.

I am starting to get really worried now because Sony has lost probably their best employees, but I still believe Kaz will steer the company into success.

I thought he was leaving to work at Atari? So I conclude that he is leaving Sony because Sony wants him to build up Atari. If Phil built up Atari this could be another one of Sony's Studios.

see ya Phil

you were a pretty cool guy

Phil was one of the only guy's I liked at Sony.

come to us!We have cookies!

Phil isn't going to Microsoft or Nintendo... from what I've been hearing he's talking to Steve Jobs and Apple. He's also been wanting to go back to development too.

NOOO PHIL WE LOVE YOU!!

Seriously, i wish him all the best :)

I dare say that Microsoft will always have a place for him! And I agree that this is weird timing since the PS3 is supposed to be doing so well.....

Its sort sad to see Phil go after all these years!

Kutaragi's gone to. The key people/masters from day one are leaving/has left.

Why Leave man?!?

At least he'll continue to support Sony.

Good luck in the future!

Phil leaving Sony! Thats like Bill Gates leaving Microsoft!!! Why would he be stepping down!?! I can't see a reason why? why?!

will miss him but he has worked there for 15 years already. Its a high pressure job and i am sure after 15 years he might want to do something a bit different and low key.I know i would. From his comments it seems that he has nothing but praise of his time there at Sony and he said he said he will continue to support Sony in every way he can.

Quote "The past 15 years at Sony Computer Entertainment has been the defining journey of my life so far,” said 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" end quote.

It seems he is leaving Sony on good terms and now that PS3 is poised to dominate the console market again. Its indeed a good time for him to leave if he indeed wanted to for a while.

old friend *crying in corner watching phil's old keynotes* omg phil mwahhhaaahaaaaa *cough cough*

great man i loved the home presentations

Phil you are the best!!!

Best of luck!! leaving Sony at the beginning of winning another console war!

ONE of the BEST PR guys IN the gaming industry ever had.

- I wondering what the FCUK is wrong WITH SONY JAPAN!!! for letting Phil go?!?!?!

DAMN YOU SONY OF JAPAN!!!

this guy is and will be my fav personality of gaming related stuff. man Sony should have begged for him to not to leave Sony but thats just my opinion if Sony has fired him then sony sux but if he wanted to move on then good luck.
thanx

Why Phil? WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?
:-(
:-(
:-(

he cant take microsoft's heat

NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! now who is gonna make me feel safe

meh he wasn't that good but better than that 360 guy who switched to EA

Not what i expected to see after i came home (no joke intended) from work. That came completely out of nothing for me.

Really sad to hear, because it will be extremely hard to fill Phil Harrison`s shoes, and not because the enormous shoes i imagine he has because of his hight (joke intended, but perhaps not very funny ?). He was a great represent for Playstation and a great PR. People always heard him out because of his honesty and he had a great sense of humor also. Maybe he`ll get to work for Disney now, and can make duck jokes all the time ;)

Best of luck to you Phil, whatever you chose to do. You`ve earned it. Anyone who know`s why he left by the way ?

Good luck Phil hope you find your calling.

Out of the blue announcement, but I hope he gets a good job somewhere else. He was probably the best public speaker out of all the Sony execs.

Stupid filthy sony.

Maybe M$ will have him> Is he clean?

HA HA HA HA!

he was going to start making xbox live arcade games.

Please tell me this is not true...

Things are good for us Sony fan boys at the moment, with the recent announcement from toshiba that HD DVD is officialy dead and the new secret games on thier way there's never been a better time to love our Sony fat cat decisions & sony products ;)

To get to the point.... If SONY wanted Phil, they'd have increased his pay to persuade him to stay, he's done a lot for the almighty but it couldn't have been good enough because off he goes.

With revenues of $70 billion (Thanks Wikipedia) and a company history that grew stronger and stronger since the old days in 1945 (Thanks again Wikipedia!) I 100% trust that this is the right thing to do, I am a true sony fan boy and damn proud of it, you can give me your insults but the truth hurts deep down, we will always prevail!

whats the bets he turns up working for E.A in a few months time.

anyway good luck to him.