Sony Computer Entertainment of America (SCEA) is parting ways with its longtime chief executive Jack Tretton: he will step down from his post and leave the company at the end of the month.

The company said Tretton has been with Sony since the launch of SCEA nearly two decades ago, and added that the departure was by "mutual agreement."

Sony Network Entertainment International executive vice-president and chief operating officer Shawn Layden will take over as CEO.

"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," Tretton said in announcing his exit.

"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."

Joining SCEA in a sales role in 1995, Tretton became CEO in 2006. The company noted that Tretton has played a role in every major console launch since Sony first released the original PlayStation.

"I leave knowing that the PlayStation brand has never been stronger, PlayStation 4 momentum continues to accelerate, and the future will only get brighter for our gamers," Tretton said in an open letter to PlayStation fans.

"Serving PlayStation fans for the past 19 years has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my career."

While Sony has had to make cuts in the US of late, including the closing of 20 retail stores worldwide, the gaming unit has performed well. According to Sony Corporation's latest quarterly [PDF] finance report, for the three-month period to December 31, the games wing recorded a 64.6 per cent jump in revenues, year on year, to $4.2bn, and a $172m operating income, up 292 per cent, largely due to the PS4 launch.