Sources:
Sony Computer Entertainment was formed in November 16, 1993 in Tokyo before the launch of Sony’s first home console system – the PlayStation. The year after (May 18, 1994) Sony Computer Entertainment America was also established to market the console on an international scale. The other branch was Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd (formed in January 1995).
The company’s roles include: Research and Development, Production, and distribution of Sony’s PlayStation line (including both Hardware and Software). The company also acts as a developer and publisher of game titles from first, second and third party game developers. The most notable of these examples being Naughty Dog (the Crash Bandicoot series), Insomniac Games (Spyro/ Ratchet and Clank series) and Sucker Punch Productions (Sly Cooper/ InFamous series).
Sony Computer Entertainment has acquired many third party developers in their time – the long list including:
Guerrilla Games in 2005 (Killzone series)
Zipper Interactive in 2006 (Socom Series)
Evolution Studios (MotorStorm series) and Bigbig Studio (Pursuit Force series) in 2007
Media Molecule in 2010 (LittleBigPlanet series)
And most recently the above mentioned Sucker Punch Productions in 2011 (Infamous series)
For all of these acquisitions there seemed to be a pattern in that they were studios that had a long standing work relationship with Sony:
“We were first drawn to Sony Computer Entertainment by their vision for growing the videogame industry,” said Jim Bosler, president and CEO, Zipper Interactive. “We’ve enjoyed an incredible relationship with SCE for more than six years. This has allowed us to combine our cutting edge technical and design capabilities with SCE’s creative insights and extraordinary support to become the leader in the online console multiplayer field. As a part of the Sony Computer Entertainment group we can look forward to introducing innovative titles that push online functionality and community experiences even further.”
"Since Media Molecule's inception, we've had a uniquely close relationship with SCE. Over the years they have consistently shown their dedication to Creative Gaming and Media Molecule, not only through their support of the company, but their willingness to take risks and embrace our often unusual approach and ideas," said Alex Evans, co-founder of Media Molecule
Of course this isn’t an unheard of strategy for a gaming development company, with Capcom partnering with Blue Castle games officially after the success of the development of the Dead Rising 2 game in their franchise by the developer. What is noticeable about these acquisitions though is as aforementioned the close but early working relationship in each developer’s history, in addition to large successful strides that each developer made before the official partnership into Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE).
For example Media Molecule’s LittleBigPlanet had won over 90 awards, and had become one of the best-selling titles for the PS3 before merging with SCE. Likewise, Zipper interactive’s SOCOM: U.S Navy SEALS had established a successful online community for the PlayStation 2 console at a time whereby the Xbox had the edge over branching into online gaming. In both for these instances, Sony Computer Entertainment had already a close relationship with the two developers so moving into a full-time partnership due to the critical acclaim of the series was more than a sound business move rather than a risk.
In addition to Sony Computer Entertainment gave birth to the PlayStation, for which has now expanded to contain many other products:
PlayStation
PocketStation (a little known peripheral for the PlayStation that was released in Japan only)
PlayStation 2
PSX (Due to the high cost and low customer interest, this was not released outside of Japan)
PlayStation 3 (the most recent home console release)
PlayStation Move (a peripheral for the PlayStation 3)
PlayStation Portable (the first handheld console from Sony)
PlayStation Vita (this will be released later this month to supersede the PlayStation Portable)
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