Mumbai: In a strategic move to closely align itself with the strong growth of the worldwide online gaming market, Sony Computer Entertainment (SCEI) announced that Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) will report to SCEI president and group CEO Kazuo Hirai, effective 1 April. The new structure is designed to mutually benefit both companies by further accelerating the PlayStation business through SOE’s strong online gaming expertise.
 
"I am excited to be able to work with SOE even more closely, as online games and services become a more integral part of the PS3 entertainment experience," Hirai said. "This new structure will allow us to take full advantage of the extensive breadth of expertise of the two companies and increase our range of exciting entertainment offerings to our consumers."

SOE president John Smedley will report to Hirai. "We are thrilled to become a part of the incredible team that has made Playstation 3 the premier platform for next generation online gaming," said Smedley. "This move is going to broaden our capabilities and expand the development of our products into new and exciting directions."

San Diego-based SOE is currently part of Sony Pictures Entertainment. Under the new structure, SOE will continue to develop its games for the PC and the Playstation 3 computer entertainment system.