Reuters: Sony in talks to buy media powerhouse behind 'Elden Ring', sources say

Johnic

Veteran
24 Mar 2023
3,812
6,308
Outer Heaven
I feel like SE seems like an obvious choice for them. Wonder if the new CEO's multiplatfrom push has given them pause? Or hes pushing so strong because a deal fell through?
SE only strengthens their gaming business. This ties into anime as well. This is a Sony purchase, not a Playstation purchase.

But I feel the SE deal fell through a few years ago, for whatever reason.
 

Kokoloko

Veteran
Icon Extra
21 Jun 2022
5,981
4,703
Update from Nikkei Asia:

Sony in talks to acquire Japan publisher behind Elden Ring Sony Group aims to gain the rights to works and content through acquisitions, reducing its dependence on new hit titles.​



Ive been saying this for awhile.

Its easier to buy some IPs and studios they have worked with before then fully relying on creating new ips and new studios.

Guarantee that new ips will be a hit.
They need a mix at least. Plus FromSoft they have worked with before
 
  • Like
Reactions: Entropi and Puff

Dabaus

Veteran
28 Jun 2022
3,071
4,694
Ive been saying this for awhile.

Its easier to buy some IPs and studios they have worked with before then fully relying on creating new ips and new studios.

Guarantee that new ips will be a hit.
They need a mix at least. Plus FromSoft they have worked with before
In a way, maybe concord flopping the way it did will be good for sony? I still think they should make a play for Squar enix. Maybe go after some konami IP if they are willing to play ball?
 

voke

Veteran
10 Jan 2023
2,627
3,411
In a way, maybe concord flopping the way it did will be good for sony? I still think they should make a play for Squar enix. Maybe go after some konami IP if they are willing to play ball?
Why Square? If they go thru with Kadokawa, all of their bases are covered.
 

ethomaz

Rebolation!
21 Jun 2022
12,041
9,780
Brasil 🇧🇷
PSN ID
ethomaz
Ive been saying this for awhile.

Its easier to buy some IPs and studios they have worked with before then fully relying on creating new ips and new studios.

Guarantee that new ips will be a hit.
They need a mix at least. Plus FromSoft they have worked with before
That is not exactly the case here.
They are talking about anime / movie related IP content... music, art, characters, etc.

From Software is not what they are trying to buy Kadowaka.
From Software is already co-owned by Sony... Sony owns 14.1% of From while 69.66% is Kadowaka (Tecent owns 16.25%).
If Sony wanted From Software they should just buy these others 86%... not the whole Kadowaka.

Edit - Fixed the shares.
 
Last edited:

Kokoloko

Veteran
Icon Extra
21 Jun 2022
5,981
4,703
That is not exactly the case here.
They are talking about anime / movie related IP content... music, art, characters, etc.

From Software is not what they are trying to buy Kadowaka.
From Software is already co-owned by Sony... Sony owns 14% of From while the others 86% is Kadowaka.
If Sony wanted From Software they should just buy these others 86%... not the whole Kadowaka.
Either way its all good. Not just videos games but other content like anime. They need to bring it all together
 

Eternal_Wings

Dein Nomos
24 Jun 2022
3,011
3,980
1.8 Trillion yen budget until (or through) 2027 is only around 11 billion dollars USD, which isnt alot to be honest. Say this is 4-5 billion. Thats a big chuck of budget gone already with like 3 years to go.
The rumored M&A targets aren't that expensive. Plus there is always tzw possibility to adjust/increase the budgets for strategic purchases. Sony will get a big chunk of money when they sell of their bank and financial services in 2025.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dabaus

Eternal_Wings

Dein Nomos
24 Jun 2022
3,011
3,980
JP GAMES as in the card games? Nihon Falcon would be fantastic.

They’re not gonna go for something like Square, Sega, Konami ip etc. I’d wish. But Kadokawa and something like Nihon Falcon/Level 5 would be the best thing they can afford and would do.
No JP GAMES as Hajime Tabata's new studio. I wouldn't rule out another bid on Square Enix in the future. Kiryuu is definitely going (if not already visible) screw up Square.
 

ethomaz

Rebolation!
21 Jun 2022
12,041
9,780
Brasil 🇧🇷
PSN ID
ethomaz
Either way its all good. Not just videos games but other content like anime. They need to bring it all together
I fixed the shares because Kodawaka only owns 69.66% of From.
Sony owns 14.1%.
Tecent owns 16.25%.

Sony paid $122m and Tecent $141m... that means From whole price was around $865m in 2022.
Kodawaka is around $4b?
 

Eternal_Wings

Dein Nomos
24 Jun 2022
3,011
3,980
Why Square? If they go thru with Kadokawa, all of their bases are covered.
Not correct. JRPG is still a very huge gap in the portfolio. Spike ChunSoft's are very niche even for niche games. Sony definitely needs to buy companies specialized in JRPG. And who can do better JRPGs than Square Enix? Imo Sony should definitely try again in the future to bid on Square Enix.
 
  • they're_right_you_know
Reactions: Neversummer

voke

Veteran
10 Jan 2023
2,627
3,411
Not correct. JRPG is still a very huge gap in the portfolio. Spike ChunSoft's are very niche even for niche games. Sony definitely needs to buy companies specialized in JRPG. And who can do better JRPGs than Square Enix? Imo Sony should definitely try again in the future to bid on Square Enix.
Elden Ring is a (Japanese Role Playing game)

Acquire also makes great traditional JRPGs
 
  • they're_right_you_know
Reactions: ethomaz

ethomaz

Rebolation!
21 Jun 2022
12,041
9,780
Brasil 🇧🇷
PSN ID
ethomaz
Elden Ring is not JRPG lmao. Its a WRPG with Japanese aesthetics.
If it is made in Japan it is a JRPG.

Loads of people still define JRPG by turn based or Final Fantasy. In reality it's just the fact that an RPG is made in Japan lol.
Yeap... the definition was always RPGs made by Japanese developers.

Anyway most JRPGs is not even turn-based anymore... look at the last FFs for example.
 

Eternal_Wings

Dein Nomos
24 Jun 2022
3,011
3,980
If it is made in Japan it is a JRPG.


Yeap... the definition was always RPGs made by Japanese developers.

Anyway most JRPGs is not even turn-based anymore... look at the last FFs for example.
That's nonsense of a definition of determining the genre. So Gran Turismo is developed by Japanese developers...is that an JRPG too? Asking for a friend. 😏