Sony Computer Entertainment is no more. Meet, Sony Interactive Entertainment
Charge your glasses...
Sony has merged Sony Computer Entertainment - the long-running PlayStation business - with Sony Network Entertainment to form a new company called Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC.
The move combines the offline and online parts of Sony's entertainment business into one mega PlayStation firm.
The new company has its headquarters in San Mateo, California. Sony's London-based European operation, what was Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, remains but is now called Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe.
"The formation of SIE will create an even stronger PlayStation," SCEE boss Jim Ryan said in a post on the European PlayStation Blog.
"That means an even bigger emphasis on developing pioneering platforms like PS4 and PlayStation VR, world-class games from our World Wide Studios development teams, and innovative network services such as PlayStation Vue.
"It also means a renewed commitment to making PlayStation the best place to play."
Sony Computer Entertainment was founded in 1993 just before the original PlayStation launched. It's operated ever since, pushing through the release of PS2, PSP, PS3, Vita and, most recently PS4.
Sony Computer Entertainment had employed a structure that saw its European and American operations act independently, each with their own rules and processes for video game releases.
This set-up has, over the years, sparked frustration among developers and gamers alike, and resulted in varied release dates and pricing across territories. It'll be interesting to see if this new Sony Interactive Entertainment improves matters.