Sony has announced that Phil Harrison, President of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios, will resign from Sony Computer Entertainment Group as of February 29th 2008.

Kazuo Hirai, President and Group CEO of SCEI, will take over responsibilities as president of SCE WWS, in addition to his current duties.

Phil Harrison joined Sony in 1992 and is recognised as making a "tremendous contribution" playing a strategic role in the launch of four PlayStation platforms, as well as building relationships with game developers and publishers throughout the world.

"The past 15 years at Sony Computer Entertainment has been the defining journey of my life so far," said Phil 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 recently made gaming news headlines by criticising Sony Japan for being slow to realise the potential of social gaming as offered by the PS3-beating Nintendo Wii.