Sony will handle the European distribution of games designed by Japanese videogame software maker Sega Corp for PlayStation 2, Sega said on today, reflecting Sega's efforts to bolster ties with former rivals.
Under the agreement, the European unit of Sony Computer Entertainment (SEC), Sony's gaming arm - once one of Sega's rivals in the game hardware battle - will manufacture, distribute and market the games in five European languages.
Sega has been intensifying efforts to expand global software sales after its high-profile exit from the unprofitable Dreamcast game console business earlier this year.
Sega is currently developing seven game titles including a new version of its blockbuster Virtua Fighter series for PlayStation 2, a Sega spokesman said, adding that at least two of these titles will be released before Christmas.
"Since we do not have our own marketing network in Europe, we decided to have SCE to handle distribution of our games for PlayStation 2," he said.
Sega's game software for Dreamcast will continue to be handled by a European distributor, he added.
Sega, known for its "Sonic The Hedgehog" game character, and the world's leading home videogame console maker, Sony, have recently been working closely as part of Sega's broad partner-making efforts after a painful exit from Dreamcast.
Earlier this month, the two companies said they plan to enable users of their consoles to play videogames via the Internet.
In February, they, together with Japanese game software maker Namco Ltd, announced a collaboration on game distribution via high-capacity broadband networks to arcade game centers.
Shares in Sega on today closed up 1.64 per cent at 1,980 yen prior to the news, while Sony's shares slid 1.14 per cent to 8,660 yen.