Kaz Hirai takes over SOE

[Stavrose]

SOE to report to Sony Computer Entertainment

Mark Androvich 17:44 (BST) 13/03/2008

New structure will allign company with growth of online gaming market
Sony Computer Entertainment has announced that Sony Online Entertainment will now report to Kazuo Hirai under a new company structure designed to address the growth of the online gaming market.
SOE, based in San Diego, California, is currently part of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

"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."

Under the new structure, SOE will continue to develop its games for the PC and the PlayStation 3, while SOE President John Smedley will report to Hirai effective April 1.

"We are thrilled to become a part of the incredible team that has made PlayStation 3 the premier platform for next generation online gaming," Smedley said.

"This move is going to broaden our capabilities and expand the development of our products into new and exciting directions."

-Source

 

[Poldano]

-Source

I wonder if Smed has a good wholesale vaseline supplier? :lol:

 

[Timi]

For some reason I thought this had taken place already. At any rate, good, maybe we'll see Smed somewhere on a street corner as the crazy homeless guy prophesizing cool new things to come, which ultimately never happen. Much like the ones that keep announcing the end is near, well I'm still waitin.

 

[BananaMan]

Things are going to change at SOE, Smed won't be able to talk shit, without the Kaizenatic Kazuo around. I suppose it is one thing added pressure for Smed, but SOE will definitely get a funding boost out of this.

 

[ColdIce]

Things are going to change at SOE, Smed won't be able to talk shit, without the Kaizenatic Kazuo around. I suppose it is one thing added pressure for Smed, but SOE will definitely get a funding boost out of this.

I was also thinking the same thing but I wasn't exactly sure how much of a boost they'll get or if it will even get them a bigger dev team. I would hope the quality of their games improve from this.

 

[Squiloqi]

I heared rumors that they will host Pre-CU Server Clusters when he takes over

 

[PrOdiGy]

just saw this today as well:

SOE folding

 

[Poldano]

just saw this today as well:

SOE folding

That's an interesting rhetorical extraction you did there, PrOdiGy. I predict a great career for you in politics, media, or advertising.

 

[Poldano]

I heared rumors that they will host Pre-CU Server Clusters when he takes over

Ask not what rumors are heard, ask where rumors are made up.:lol:

 

[Poldano]

I was also thinking the same thing but I wasn't exactly sure how much of a boost they'll get or if it will even get them a bigger dev team. I would hope the quality of their games improve from this.

Personally, I think this means that SOE's main effort will be redirected toward supporting PS3 and eventually PSP (or "PSP+") business lines. I believe the PC business will be neglected, and certainly won't be enjoying a massive infusion of development money.

 

[BananaMan]

Personally, I think this means that SOE's main effort will be redirected toward supporting PS3 and eventually PSP (or "PSP+") business lines. I believe the PC business will be neglected, and certainly won't be enjoying a massive infusion of development money.

Are you an Analyst?

 

[Stavrose]

Personally, I think this means that SOE's main effort will be redirected toward supporting PS3 and eventually PSP (or "PSP+") business lines. I believe the PC business will be neglected, and certainly won't be enjoying a massive infusion of development money.

Although this is the trend nowadays, to ditch the PC and focus on the next-gen market, I think SOE will capitalize on PS3/PC cross compatibility. It's something they've been trying to do for years (SWG originally was gonna be developed for the PS2 and the PC and PS2 version would be linked). They just never had the resources or current technology to do so. The Agency will be the first multi-platform MMO experiment they will do. It's an easy way to double, even triple your subscription numbers. Then again, it's also an easy way to dig your grave much quicker by pissing off 400,000 or 600,000 people with an NGE, instead of 200,000

 

[PrOdiGy]

That's an interesting rhetorical extraction you did there, PrOdiGy. I predict a great career for you in politics, media, or advertising.