Goodbye SCE, Hello Sony Interactive Entertainment

JAN. 26, 2016 • As of April 1, Sony Computer Ent. Inc. and Sony Network Ent. International LLC are merging together to create Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC (SIE). All business units making up each of the divisions including hardware, software, content and network services operations will fall under the new entity to be based in San Mateo, Calif. From its new headquarters, SIE will oversee business operations in Tokyo and London. Andrew House, exits as presi.....

Sony Unloads Sony Online Eentertainment

FEB. 2, 2015 • With a projected ¥230 billion ($2 billion) loss looming for the fiscal year ending March 31, Sony Corporation has sold its Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) business to Columbus Nova. Financial terms were not disclosed. In December 2010, Columbus Nova set up Harmonix-SBE Holdings to acquire Harmonix Music Systems from Viacom Inc. in December 2010. In that deal, Harmonix-SBE Holdings paid $50 and assumed $100 million in Harmonix liabilities. Viacom .....

Sony and Microsoft Spend $94 Million on Video Game Television Advertising

JULY 3, 2014 • During the first five months of 2014 Sony Computer Ent. America and Microsoft Corp. combined spent $93.7 million to advertise their latest consoles on U.S. television, as reported in the Wall Street Journal based on estimates provided by research firm iSpot.tv. Total video game television advertising spend for the period was $226.5 million. Between the two console makers Sony spent $59 million to support the PS4 versus Microsoft’s $34.7 mill.....

Sony Preps PlayStation 4 Virtual Reality

MARCH 21, 2014 • A PlayStation 4 virtual reality system is in the works, according to a disclosure by Sony Computer Ent. Dubbed Project Morpheus, the new VR system operates in conjunction with the PlayStation Camera and inertial sensors built into the Morpheus head unit to track a user’s head orientation and movement. As the player’s head rotates, the image of the virtual world is designed to rotate naturally and intuitively in real-time. In addition to.....

Sony’s Sweet & Sour 2014: 6 Million PlayStation 4 Units Sold

MARCH 4, 2015 • Sony Computer Ent. has announced another PlayStation 4 sales milestone after a week of major layoff announcements corporation-wide. The company has attained 6 million PlayStation 4 units sold worldwide since its November launch through March 2, with 370,000 of that number sold in Japan since February 22. With 30 titles available for the system, consumers have purchased 13.7 million software units. Sony’s own Killzone Shadow Fall has sold 2......

Sony Online Entertainment Downsizes ProductSlate

JAN. 27, 2014 • Four prominent MMOs are being shut down by Sony Online Entertainment (SOE). The publisher announced that Clone Wars Adventures and Free Realms will be closed on March 31, with Vanguard: Saga of Heroes and Wizardry Online going away on July 31. As recently as two years ago Clone Wars Adventures had reached 10 million registered users. Free Realms had also proved popular early in its 2009 PC release, .....
Sony Builds PlayStation 3 in Brazil

Sony Builds PlayStation 3 in Brazil

MAY 8, 2013 • Rather than continue with negotiations with the Brazilian government to lower import duties on video game hardware like the PlayStation 3, Sony Computer Entertainment has followed the example of Microsoft Corp. and is now making PS3s in Brazil. Production of the 250GB model by Sony Brasil Ltda is now under way in Manaus located in the state of Amazonas. The suggested retail price of the console will be cut from 1,599 ($799) Real to 1,099 ($549) Rea.....