Today, Sony has announced that Sony Computer Entertainment and Sony Network International have announced they will be merging to form Sony Interactive Entertainment; the move now brings all PS operations under one roof.

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) will see Sony Computer Entertainment’s (SCE) PlayStation hardware, software and content operations merge with Sony Network International’s (SNE) networking services, including the PlayStation Network. Sony Interactive Entertainment is set to begin operating on April 1st with its headquarters situated in San Mateo, California, with additional key global business operations in Tokyo and London.

In a press release from Sony Computer Entertainment, Andrew House, President and Global CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. and Group Executive in charge of Network Entertainment of Sony Corporation, had the following to say on the creation of Sony Interactive Entertainment.

“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(R) business,”

“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.”

It will be interesting to see how integrating both these companies into one larger company will affect the development of the PlayStation devices and its network capabilities.