Sony has merged the entire PlayStation business into one new company called Sony Interactive Entertainment. As of April 1st, SIE's president and CEO will be Andrew House, and the business will be run out of San Mateo, California. SIE essentially brings the hardware and software units of the soon-to-be-former Sony Computer Entertainment and the PlayStation Network services run by Sony Network Entertainment International under one roof in the US. There will also be local arms set up in Tokyo and London.

"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," says House 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 maximize corporate value by coordinating global business operations across San Mateo, Tokyo, and London by leveraging local expertise."

New company responsible for future hardware R&D

Sony says that "it has become important for both SCE and SNEI to unify their business strengths under one entity with a single focus," and that the two former companies will "combine resources across their hardware, software, content and fast-growing network businesses, positioning [SIE] for enhanced competitiveness, continued expansion and market leadership in all areas." Notably, the US-based SIE is described as being responsible for R&D of future PlayStation hardware as well as the software and network services.

The structure of the new business looks like this:

Shuhei Yoshida, president of Sony Worldwide Studios, said on Twitter that his title wouldn't change and that he'll be reporting to Shawn Layden.