"The company's major development studios will form Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios.

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. has announced that it has combined all of its games development studios worldwide to create one giant development company, Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS), effective September 1st 2005.

This new development company will help accelerate development of hit games in all Sony territories. Phil Harrison, executive vice president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd. has been named as president of SCE WWS and will work closely with developers based in Japan, North America and Europe.

"As SCE enters its second decade, we need to reinforce our games development power and create new entertainment experiences that will bring out the best of the technology in platforms such as PSP, PLAYSTATION 3, and beyond," said Ken Kutaragi, President and group CEO, SCEI. "PlayStation, favoured by 200 million people all over the world, and Phil's strong leadership combined, I am confident that the power of our development studios are further empowered to create more new and innovative titles."

"SCE is unique in having innovative development studios in the US, Europe and Japan, that have each created numerous global hit titles. By combining the wealth of creativity and talent of games development we can dramatically change the landscape of computer entertainment," said Phil Harrison, president, SCE Worldwide Studios. "I am honoured to be taking on that challenge working alongside the best people in the business.""