SCEAsJackTretton 07 Mar

Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Jack Tretton will step down from the position effective March 31st, the company has announced.

According to a press release, Tretton’s departure is the “result of a mutual aggreement between Mr. Tretton and SCEA not to renew their contractual relationship.” Executive vice president and COO of Sony Network Entertainment, Shawn Layden will take over Tretton’s role effective April 1st.

“Working at SCEA for the past 19 years has been the most rewarding experience of my career,” Tretton said. “Although I will deeply miss the talented team at SCEA and the passion demonstrated every day by our fans, I’m very excited about starting the next chapter of my career. I want to thank the employees, partners and customers for their tireless commitment to the PlayStation brand and, of course, to our fans who have pushed us to new heights of innovation and entertainment over the past two decades. I leave PlayStation in a position of considerable strength and the future will only get brighter for PlayStation Nation.”

Tretton was one of the founding executives of the firm’s PlayStation division, and helped lead Sony Computer Entertainment’s American division through five hardware launches.

“I’ve worked with Jack for nearly two decades and I want to personally thank him for his leadership and the considerable contributions he’s made to the SCEA business and PlayStation brand over the years,” said SCE president and group CEO Andrew House, in part. “I wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors.”

“I also want to welcome Shawn to the Sony Computer Entertainment America team. I have the utmost confidence in Shawn’s leadership capabilities, and his deep knowledge of the gaming industry and commitment to gamers, will help keep PlayStation at the forefront of entertainment and innovative gameplay.”

(via CVG)