The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) has named Sony Computer Entertainment honorary chairman and Sony senior tech advisor Ken Kutaragi as the recipient of its 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be bestowed at this year’s Interactive Achievement Awards ceremony on February 7 in conjunction with the annual D.I.C.E Summit 2008.

“Father of the PlayStation" Kutaragi will be honored for his contribution to the global in-home entertainment market with the success of the PlayStation console, which has sold more than 100 million units worldwide.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was developed to honor individuals who have devoted their lives to the advancement of the interactive entertainment industry. The first award was bestowed last year at the 10th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards to former Nintendo of America chairman Howard Lincoln and president Minoru Arakawa.

AIAS president Joseph Olin said, “Ken Kutaragi’s passion, innovative thinking and business savvy sparked a monumental movement that was unstoppable. If it wasn’t for Ken and his concept of the original PlayStation, there wouldn’t be the billion dollar industry there is today. His contributions have clearly set new standards for developers, publishers and consumers worldwide.”