Sony's Phil Harrison promoted to new global role

Phil Harrison, previously executive president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, has been given a promotion into a new global role as part of plans to reorganise SCE from the top down.

Harrison is now SCE chief executive producer, and is charged with overseeing SCE game development around the globe. Click here to read our interview with Harrison at E3 earlier this year about the firm's plans for PlayStation 3.

His new role will almost undoubtedly see him working closely with Kazunori Yamauchi - the creator of the highly successful Gran Turismo franchise and president of Polyphony Digital - who has been made a SCE executive and given the title of corporate executive in charge of Polyphony Digital.

Recognising the growing importance of Asian markets outside Japan, SCE has established a new subsidiary, Sony Computer Entertainment Asia, which is to be headed up by Tetsuhiko Yasuda - currently MD for SCE Hong Kong. Yasuda also receives the title of corporate executive.

Other new departments include the SCE Japan Studio, which will oversee the development of all first-party games, and the Computer Development Division, which will form part of the Computer Business Group.

SCE's chief technology officer, Masauki Chatani, has been appointed deputy chief. Chatani will also hold the title of chief of the Architecture Research Division, as well as his current titles of corporate executive and chief technology officer.