Hirai was credited with the success of the original PlayStation in North America in 2000, marketing the console in all of the major men’s markets such as sports broadcasts. He also helped nurture many of the IPs that would become synonymous with the PlayStation brand, including Jak and Daxter, Ratchet & Clank, Sly Cooper, and SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs.
Hirai’s current title is Executive Deputy President, and should he be promoted to President, he’ll become the de facto successor to current CEO Howard Stringer. Stringer had stated a few months ago that he doesn’t plan to step down before his current latest three-year turnaround plan ends in March 2013. It is then that Hirai is expected to take over from him.