PlayStation has ushered in a new era today with the official formation of Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC (SIE).
The newly-formed company is an amalgamation of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) and Sony Network Entertainment LLC (SNE), and combines the strengths of both organisations to form one ‘global interactive entertainment powerhouse.’
Shawn Layden, the President of Sony Interactive Entertainment America (SIEA) and Chairman of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios (SIE WWS), took to the U.S. PlayStation Blog to outline what these changes will mean for the loyal PlayStation user base going forward, promising a bright future for the gaming behemoth.
Said Layden: “So what does this day mean for you, the gamer? If I’m honest, probably not a whole lot — at least not in the short term. But in the long run, it will mean everything. The formation of SIE will allow us to forge a unified PlayStation organization that can adapt more quickly to meet the needs of the gaming community, innovate with digital services like PlayStation Vue and PlayStation Now, and — above all else — drive consistent and constant innovation in the dynamic medium of videogames. You’re already seeing the early fruits of that effort with PlayStation VR, and the work will continue across a number of fronts.”
He added: “Our full integration won’t happen overnight. But the work is well underway and I’m delighted to report that we are tracking ahead of schedule.”
Sony announced plans to combine both SCE and SNE earlier this year. The format holder is gearing up for some significant releases in the coming months, including the launch of Ratchet & Clank, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and Gran Turismo Sport, not to mention the release of its virtual reality headset, PlayStation VR.
PlayStation 4 continues to prove a massive success for the Japanese giant, with the console selling 35.7 million units worldwide as of January 2016.