Sony announced today that its online game division, Sony Online Entertainment, will report to PlayStation boss Kaz Hirai effective April 1.

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, and SOE President John Smedley will report directly to Hirai.

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