Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) hasn’t exactly had a smooth-sailing history, suffering numerous subscriber losses in the past few years. Maybe that’s part of the reason they’re starting to turn their attention towards PS3 MMOs instead of the traditional PC-based ones.

Speaking to GameDaily, SOE president John Smedley said he believes that MMO gaming on the PS3 will bring in a lot of new players (“a lot of the people who play PS3 games right now aren’t the same people playing MMOs”), and these players will in turn account for up to 50 of SOE’s business:

I think PS3 will be close to half our business. There’s an audience now waiting for online games on the PS3. I believe PSN has over 15 million users today (ed: Kaz Hirai puts this number at 17 million). It’s growing so quickly, we see a great user base potential there.

Currently, SOE is tracking a 2009 release for two of its high-profile MMOs: The Agency and DC Universe Online (PlayStation 3, PC).

• SOE President: MMOs to be a selling point for PS3

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