Sony bundles all of its PlayStation businesses into one US-based company

26 Jan 2016

Will the new move make Sony's console division stronger than ever in the competitive console business?

With its PlayStation interests performing well, Japanese tech giant Sony has seen the light and is bundling all of its PlayStation interests into one company that will be headquartered in Silicon Valley.

The new company will be called Sony Interactive Entertainment and will be led by SIE president and CEO Andrew House.

Sony Interactive Entertainment will be headquartered in San Mateo and unites the hardware and software units of Sony Computer Entertainment and the PlayStation Network Services as one organisation.

“The formation of SIE will create an even stronger PlayStation,” Shawn Layden, president and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment USA, said on the official 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,” Layden said.

A new chapter for Sony PlayStation

SIE-structure

The new US-based Sony Interactive Entertainment will be responsible for the R&D of all future PlayStation hardware as well as software and hardware services.

Sony Computer Entertainment was set up in 1993 to launch the original Sony PlayStation console while the PlayStation networking division was established in 2010.

“By integrating the strengths of PlayStation’s hardware, software, content and network operations, SIE will become an even stronger entity, with a clear objective to further accelerate the growth of the PlayStation business,” said Andrew House, president and global CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment and group executive in charge of network entertainment at Sony, in a statement.

“Along with our business partners, SIE will develop pioneering services and products that will continue to inspire consumers’ imaginations and lead the market. We will work hard to maximise corporate value by coordinating global business operations across San Mateo, Tokyo, and London by leveraging local expertise.”

PlayStation image via Shutterstock

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

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