ESA honors Kutaragi at "Nite to Unite"

Ken Kutaragi, SCE's honorary chairman and senior technology advisor, will be honoured by the ESA tonight at its annual Nite to Unite for Kids event.

The Nite to Unite is the game industry's premiere fundraising event, benefiting children's charities across America.

"Ken's contributions to our community and the entertainment lives of ordinary consumers are extraordinary," said Michael D. Gallagher, president of the ESA, which represents U.S. computer and video game publishers.

"His insight and vision revolutionized in-home entertainment, enabling advancements in creativity, technology, and innovation."

Since its inception in 1999, the Nite to Unite for Kids event has raised over USD 7.8 for children's charities. This year's event includes a black-tie optional dinner and a live and silent auction at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco.

This year's event co-chairs are Microsoft's Robbie Bach, Nintendo's Reggie Fils-Aime, and SCEA's Jack Tretton.

Prior recipients of the ESA Champion Award include George Lucas, director and founder of LucasArts; GameStop's Dan DeMatteo; Electronic Arts' Bing Gordon; Toys 'R Us' Michael Goldstein; Nintendo's Howard Lincoln; Sega's Isao Ogawa; and Electronic Boutique's Jeffery Griffiths.

Kutarati was directly responsible for the creation of the PlayStation platform business since SCE was established in 1993 and is known as the "father of the PlayStation."