Sony's future and possible studio/publisher acquisitions

[Eternal_Wings]

Hi passionate gamers,

I wanted to discuss with you which studios and maybe publishers we will see in the upcoming days, months or years. Don't get me wrong, it should be not a fire to lit console-wars. I just want to hear your opinions which studios or even publisher are realistic. You see the landscape of the gaming industry turned into an arms-race with companies like Microsoft, Tencent and Embracer Group, buying studios or publishers like there is no end. So we heard it more than one time confirmed from Sony execs like Jim Ryan or Kenshiro Yoshida they're not finished by long. So not long ago they hired a Director for acquisitions and complex mergers for Playstation division. So every thought, rumor or even maybe leak would be appreciated. Looking forward to exciting discussions with you!

Charts of possible targets and possibility - Credit to Desodeset (ResetEra)

Publishers	Value	Price	Staff	Properties	Regions	Benefits	Negatives	Chance
CD Projekt RED	2.35B USD	3B+ USD	1000	Cyberpunk	Eastern Europe	Premium releases	Known crunch problems	Possible
				The Witcher (video game rights, board games, visual novels and merchandise rights)		WRPG experience	GoG as a DRM Free Store
				Project Hadar		Multimedia success	Cultural problems? (Poland is known as anti-liberal state)
						Huge potential for GaaS Spin-Offs
Pearl Abyss	2.00B USD	3B+ USD	1000	Black Desert Online, Crimson Desert	South Korea	Geographical diversity	Could be blasted by North Korean nuclear bomb.	Possible
				DokeV		MMO Experience
				Plan8		Multiple Upcoming GaaS Titles
				EVE Online
CAPCOM	5.58B USD	7B+ USD	3000	Resident Evil, Devil May Cry, Dragon's Dogma, Pragmata	Japan	Premium Releases	Not aware of any	Very likely
				Monster Hunter, Exoprimal		Appealing for both West and Japan
				Street Fighter		Street Fighter-EVO Synergy
						Different Types of AAA Games (Horror, Action, RPG)
						Large legacy beneficial for PS+ Premium
Square-Enix	5.43B USD	7B+ USD	4000-4500	Final Fantasy	Japan	Most popular AAA JRPGs	Many AA titles that don't fit SIE strategy	Very likely
				Dragon Quest, Kingdom Hearts, Nier, Forspoken		The biggest MMO currently	Not the best management
				Tons of smaller IPs and JRPGs		Big potential on Mobile	Subsidiaries that are hard to intergrade (Taito, Gangan Comics). Could be beneficial for Sony Group.
						Large legacy beneficial for PS+ Premium
Warner Bros Games	2-4B USD	2-4B USD	2000	Lego License	US/UK/CAN	Premium Releases	Licensing issues	Unlikely
				Mortal Kombat		Mortal Kombat-EVO Synergy	Majority of titles are WB Discovery IPs
				Potential DC/Warner Bros Pictures Licenses		E-Rated Games	Not on sale currently?
						Superhero AAA Games
Hi-Rez Studios	1.5B	1.5B	500+	Smite	US	GaaS experience	Not aware of any	Possible
				Paladins		Multiple projects
				Rogue Company		Easier to integrate
						Established console presence
Ubisoft	3.58B	5B	20000	Assassin's Creed	EU	AAA Experience	Huge workforce	Very unlikely
				Rainbow Six, Ghost Recon, The Division		Established franchises	Bad management and culture
				Far Cry, Watch Dogs, BG&E		Large catalog beneficial for PS+ Extra and Premium	Lack of originality
				Just Dance, Rayman, Anno		Worldwide presence	Under control by Tencent
Embracer Group	6.47B	9B+	15000	Tomb Raider, Deus Ex, Legacy of Kain, Thief	EU	Huge variety of IPs	Huge Workforce	Unlikely
				Lord of the Rings, Hellboy		Beneficial for PS+	Unproved in AAA development
				Borderlands, Metro 2033, Dead Island, Saints Row		Presence in games/multimedia/comics	A lot of smaller devs/IPs
				Tons of smaller/midsized IPs (mainly from Europe)		Worldwide presence	Risky business
Sega Sammy	3B	4-5B	7500	Yakuza, Persona	Japan	Arms in Japan and the West	A lot of non-gaming activities	Unlikely
				Sonic		Variety of genres	Most of the franchises are not blockbusters.
				Fantasy Star, Virtua Fighter		Large legacy beneficial for PS+ Premium	Many PC oriented devs
				Total War, Company of Heroes, Football Manager		Multimedia presence

Part II of potential M&A targets (Studios) for SIE .

Studios	Value	Price	Staff	Properties	Regions	Benefits	Negatives
Kojima Productions	100-200M	100-200M	150	Not any	Japan	Extremely Effective Team	Build around one person
						Prestige Developer	Too weird for mass audience
						Interests in transmedia projects
						High tech level
Arc System Works	100-200M	100-200M	150	Guilty Gear, BazBlue	Japan	Effective team	"Too anime for PlayStation"
						Specialized in fighting games
						Synergy with EVO
From Software	860M	900M+	350	Sekiro, Tenchu, Armored Core, King's Field, Elden Ring (may be partially?)	Japan	Specialized in RPG Games	Not any
						Unique style
						Prestige Developer
						Effective team
						Blockbuster Developer
Unseen	0-50	0-50	20 - 50	Not any	Japan	Low cost	Start Up Company
						Can produce original and interesting titles	Too weird for mass audience
							High Risk
JP Games	50-100M	50-100M	20 - 50	Not any	Japan	Low cost	Start Up Company
						Can produce AAA JRPGs	Previous Tabata's failures
						Prestige Developer	High Risk
Arrowhead Games	50-100M	50-100M	100	Not any	Sweden	Specialized in Co-Op Games	Not proven in AAA Games
						Established relationship with SIE
Remedy Games	235M	300M+	300	Alan Wake, Control (?)	Finland	Proven in AAA Games	Latest titles are not best sellers
						Good Storytellers	A partnership with Tencent (3.8%) for project Vanguard
						Potential in GaaS	Publishing deals with Epic and 505
People Can Fly	250M	300-400M	500	Painkiller, Bulletstorm, New IP	Poland	Potential in GaaS	Have a little success in latest titles
						Multiple projects	Deals with other publishers (Square Enix currently)
Rebel Wolves	50-100M	50-100M	20 - 50	Not any	Poland	Low cost	Start Up Company
						Huge potential in WRPGs	High Risk
Techland	1.5-2B	1.5-2B	400	Dying Light, New Fantasy IP, Call of Juarez	Poland	Blockbuster Proven	Might have problems with crunch culture
						Experience in Action RPGs
Lucid Games	0-50	0-50	150	Not any	UK	Good Support Studio	Not proven in AAA Games
						Established relationship with SIE
Ballistic Moon	0-50	0-50	50 - 100	Not any	UK	Low cost	Not proven in AAA Games
						Already has relationship with SIE	Start Up Company
						Could produce unique horror games	High Risk
IO Interactive	100-200M	100-200M	300	Hitman, James Bond License	Denmark	Proven in AAA Games	Already making a game for Xbox (MS might be preferred buyer)
						Unique style	Unknown status of Hitman IP
						Effective team
Asobo	100-200M	100-200M	200	Plague's Tale	France	High tech level	Already making a game or two for Xbox (MS might be preferred buyer)
						Proven in Third Person Storytelling Games	Publishing deal with Focus Home
Larian Studios	100-200M	100-200M	300	Divinity	Belgium	WRPG Experience	Tencent has 30% Stake
						Unique style	May not fit SIE Strategy
Jetpack Interactive	0-50	0-50	50	Not any	US	Good Support Studio	Too small to be acquired. Better to be a partner
						Established relationship with SIE
Ember Lab	0-50	0-50	50	Kena	US	Unique animated experience	Might have problems with management
						Fitting SIE Style of games
						Established relationship with SIE
Firewalk Studios	100-200M	100-200M	100 - 150	Not any	US	Low cost	Start Up Company
						Big Potential in GaaS	High Risk
						Team of experienced devs
Deviation Games	100-200M	100-200M	100 - 150	Not any	US	Low cost	Start Up Company
						Big Potential in GaaS	High Risk
						Team of experienced devs
Humanoid	100-200M	100-200M	20 - 50	Not any	Canada	Low cost	Start Up Company
						Huge potential in WRPGs	High Risk
						Team of experienced devs

 

[TubzGaming]

EMBER LAB
SLOCLAP S.A.S
Supergiant Games
BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT
Capcom
Sega LTD
Square Enix

 

[PropellerEar]

I think Ubi could be interesting for Sony as they have some GAAS games and FPS that Sony is lacking at the moment.

 

[Eternal_Wings]

EMBER LAB
SLOCLAP S.A.S
Supergiant Games
BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT
Capcom
Sega LTD
Square Enix

Good choices! Kena Bridge of Spirits was beautiful, so I would definitely appreciate it. Square Enix would be my bet and I think this the most likely publisher to be acquired by Sony. Square Enix really important for Sony.

 

[Eternal_Wings]

I think Ubi could be interesting for Sony as they have some GAAS games and FPS that Sony is lacking at the moment.

Yo think so? Hm I am asking myself why then they bought Havenstudio in the first place?
The staff there are to 66% former Ubisoft employees and it seems they have kept that spirit. I could imagine they must have a similar working mentality to Ubisoft Montreal. The pros for Havenstudio is they are far more easy to handle and to optimize it's output. As I know Ubisoft has more than 20.000 employees and the company itself is rumored to be in a mess...

 

[Satoru]

I would love not to see any big publisher or studio acquisitions, with the exception of KojiPro or Square Enix.

Consolidation is never a good thing, and its a shame Microsoft decided to kick start that war

That said, I'd be happy if they acquired the likes of Ember Labs, etc. Smaller studios that have released good games.

 

[Gediminas]

how the things going, with Marvel and etc., it would be beneficial to buy WB.
also, souls games were forever with Playstation, and PS fans looking for the punishment so Kadokawa is no brainer, plus allings with all Sony business.

we have so many AAA game studios, would prefer some smaller for AA experiences like Asobo and etc.
there is some other prospects too.

 

[Eternal_Wings]

I would love not to see any big publisher or studio acquisitions, with the exception of KojiPro or Square Enix.

Consolidation is never a good thing, and its a shame Microsoft decided to kick start that war

That said, I'd be happy if they acquired the likes of Ember Labs, etc. Smaller studios that have released good games.

Agree to 100%. As stated before I only want to see Square Enix under Sony's umbrella. Sony should secure them forever and I don't mind it if the smaller games like Octopath Traveller will continue to release on Nintendo platforms.

 

[Satoru]

Agree to 100%. As stated before I only want to see Square Enix under Sony's umbrella. Sony should secure them forever and I don't mind it if the smaller games like Octopath Traveller will continue to release on Nintendo platforms.

I've always been against moneyhats and big acquisitions - with the exceptions for smaller indies / AA developers and when the moneyhat is to fund the development of a game.

This industry is broken because there's a party that is not looking to add quality or walk their own path, but rather consolidate everything by brute forcing their way with money.

The pending recession will only add to the consolidation unfortunately.

 

[Eternal_Wings]

I've always been against moneyhats and big acquisitions - with the exceptions for smaller indies / AA developers and when the moneyhat is to fund the development of a game.

This industry is broken because there's a party that is not looking to add quality or walk their own path, but rather consolidate everything by brute forcing their way with money.

The pending recession will only add to the consolidation unfortunately.

As you said it yourself, it will unfortunately lead to consolidation of the gaming industry, wether Sony does participate or not. So at least if this kind of destiny is inevitable , I want only Sony to secure Square Enix. I would really cry hard if someone like Tencent or worse would buy them. I mean it's like 90% of Square's audiences are on Playstation. So hence why not welcoming them already to the Sony family.

 

[Satoru]

I would really cry hard if someone like Tencent or worse would buy them. I mean it's like 90% of Square's audiences are on Playstation. So hence why not welcoming them already to the Sony family.

Agreed.

 

[PropellerEar]

Yo think so? Hm I am asking myself why then they bought Havenstudio in the first place?
The staff there are to 66% former Ubisoft employees and it seems they have kept that spirit. I could imagine they must have a similar working mentality to Ubisoft Montreal. The pros for Havenstudio is they are far more easy to handle and to optimize it's output. As I know Ubisoft has more than 20.000 employees and the company itself is rumored to be in a mess...

That's a good point, I was thinking mostly about the game catalogue.
Yeah it's bit bloated with employees and problems

 

[balrogboy]

Hi passionate gamers,

I wanted to discuss with you which studios and maybe publishers we will see in the upcoming days, months or years. Don't get me wrong, it should be not a fire to lit console-wars. I just want to hear your opinions which studios or even publisher are realistic. You see the landscape of the gaming industry turned into an arms-race with companies like Microsoft, Tencent and Embracer Group, buying studios or publishers like there is no end. So we heard it more than one time confirmed from Sony execs like Jim Ryan or Kenshiro Yoshida they're not finished by long. So not long ago they hired a Director for acquisitions and complex mergers for Playstation division. So every thought, rumor or even maybe leak would be appreciated. Looking forward to exciting discussions with you!

Its just a thought but I really think sony should aquire a smaller indie publisher, and by that I mean something Devolver or Raw Fury. Sony biggest staple in the market is the AAA quality big titles but they used to be all over indies during the ps3 era. Thats something I miss and I think should be on their catalogue.

 

[ksdixon]

I want Sony to buy SuperMassive, blow their studio up like Insomniac and start giving us seasonal horror games tenpole events throughout the calendar. Dark Pictures Anthology at Halloween, Mid-Summer Murder in the summer time etc. Bring the idea back under inside the house, and have Dark Pictures Anthology/Namco agreement games be their 'Sunset Overdrive' moment before better support, investment and refinement. Leaverage Sony Pictures actors likenesses and deals, like we had the likenesses of the cheerleader from Heroes, or former WCW World Champion David Arquette playing characters. If something catches, maybe try a tv show etc? I want to see SuperMassive operate at larger capacity and make every game to Until Dawn's quality or better, ya know?

 

[ksdixon]

I really like the opening graphic, that's clean af.

 

[Kokoloko]

I was happy with Sony buying studios and making IP. But now that others are buying IP’s and publishers they had nothing to do with creating, I think Sony needs to acquire some before they are used and bought by others.

And just because some of these IP’s are not great now, they have potential. Just like bringing back Crash was a huge deal for fans aswell as other games.
Its the IPs that are important to me and how Playstation can manage them.


As Capcom won’t sell or neither will Namco. So the best Japanese options are:

Studios:
FromSoft
Kojima


Publishers:
Square: Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy Online, Dragon Quest, Kingdom Hearts. LIfe is Strange, Nier. And some more classic IP -
To me the value is less now that Tomb Raider, Soul Reaver, Dues Ex, Hitman are not longer there. Sony could of done some good stuff with Soul Reaver and Dues Ex could of filled the WRPG. But it would feel the JRPG gap they have plus a great online game in FF14/Online

Konami IP - MGS of course is a big one for fans. Silent Hill. CastleVania. Bomberman. Pro evolution. Suikoden. Taiko no Tatsujin is huge in Japan
Again, the studios and IP are dormant, but Playstation can do alot with the IP them. Or anyone else that buys them, at least create huge hype for the platform/publsiher.


Sega: Yakuza and Judgement series ( the studio is pretty good and the series is more popular than ever ) Atlus is probably amonst the most talented studios in Japan with Persona, SMT, Disgaea and their other games, along with their rumoured new IP.
Total War could fit the PC market well for Sony, as well as Football Manager. Beyonetta is a great action game.
Plus they have games like PSO that can be another online game for them, Virtua Fighter will be another fighter as they have invested Evo Community.
Plus loads of IP, that die hard fans will always go towards

Nihon Falcon:
Small but they have 2 great JRPG IP. Legend of Heroes and Ys.


Western Pubslishers:

EA and Take2 will be too expensive.

Ubisoft has great smaller titles but the open world games arent as good as Playstation’s so I see no need To buy them. Playstation needs some different genres

Warner - The best option in my opinion: Lego is huge. Harry Potter. Mortal Kombat. DC games, plus more IP

Theres loads of good smaller western studios too, like Playdead for example.


———-

To me its about protecting the old IP. If Platforms weren’t just buying IP they had nothing to do with creating like Xbox has, then I wouldn’t care.

I liked how Sony and others worked with studios exclusively, built a relationship with them and then acquired them. But the landscape has changed.
They need to buy publishers/IP before the big boys like google, amazon, MS buys more And makes them exclusive to their platform Which we have recently seen.


Sony is gonna create loads of great new IP No doubt. But the older IP will also bring die hard fans to or away from their current platform.
Like I said, I wasn’t one for Sony buying IP/Publishers. They havent bought an IP they havent co-created since Wipeout but the indusry is changing….. plus I wanna carry on playing Persona and Yakuza on my Playstation like I have done since PS1/PS2 Lol

 

[Eternal_Wings]

I was happy with Sony buying studios and making IP. But now that others are buying IP’s and publishers they had nothing to do with creating, I think Sony needs to acquire some before they are used and bought by others.

As Capcom won’t sell or neither will Namco. So the best Japanese options are
And just because some of these IP’s are not great now, they have potential. Just like bringing back Crash was a huge deal for fans aswell as other games.
Its the IPs that are important to me and how Playstation can manage them.


Studios:
FromSoft
Kojima


Publishers:
Square: Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy Online, Dragon Quest, Kingdom Hearts. LIfe is Strange, Nier. And some more classic IP -
To me the value is less now that Tomb Raider, Soul Reaver, Dues Ex, Hitman are not longer there. Sony could of done some good stuff with Soul Reaver and Dues Ex could of filled the WRPG. But it would feel the JRPG gap they have plus a great online game in FF14/Online

Konami IP - MGS of course is a big one for fans. Silent Hill. CastleVania. Bomberman. Pro evolution. Suikoden. Taiko no Tatsujin is huge in Japan
Again, the studios are IP are dormant, but Playstation can do alot with them. Or anyone else that buys them, at least create huge hype for the platform/publsiher.


Sega: Yakuza and Judgement series ( the studio is pretty good and the series is more popular than ever ) Atlus is probably amonst the most talented studios in Japan with Persona, SMT, Disgaea and their other games, along with their rumoured new IP.
Total War could fit the PC market well for Sony, as well as Football Manager. Beyonetta is a great action game.
Plus they have games like PSO that can be another online game for them, Virtua Fighter will be another fighter as they have invested Evo Community.
Plus loads of IP, that die hard fans will always go towards. I

Nihon Falcon:
Small but they have 2 great JRPG IP. Legend of Heroes and Ys.


Western Pubslishers:

EA and Take2 will be too expensive.

Ubisoft has great smaller titles but the open world games arent as good as Playstation’s so I see no need To buy them. Playstation needs some different genres

Warner - The best option in my opinion: Lego is huge. Harry Potter. Mortal Kombat. DC games, plus more IP

Theres loads of good smaller western studios too, like Playdead for example.


———-

To me its about protecting the old IP. If Platforms weren’t just buying IP they had nothing to do with creating like Xbox has, then I wouldn’t care.

I liked how Sony and others worked with studios exclusively, built a relationship with them and then acquired them. But the landscape has changed.
They need to buy publishers/IP before the big boys like google, amazon, MS buys more And makes them exclusive to their platform Which we have recently seen.


Sony is gonna create loads of great new IP No doubt. But the older IP will also bring die hard fans to or away from their current platform.
Like I said, I wasn’t one for Sony buying IP/Publishers. They havent bought an IP they havent co-created since Wipeout but the indusry is changing….. plus I wanna carry on playing Persona and Yakuza on my Playstation like I have done since PS1/PS2 Lol

Sony has definitely no one which does develop Japanese games. So I would go with SQEX. Konami would be wonderful too, but I think they have no intention for selling their IPs. They're making a lot of. money just with their gambling/casino machines.

I don't know if you heard about it, Jeff Grubb teased a buyout of Square Enix by Sony. He said that two months ago and as I recall correctly Greg Miller confirmed that rumor too. Some context to those, who don't recognize them. Both were working as (real) gaming journalists and are know to be connected all over around the world. They literally don't miss with their leaks and rumors. For example Jeff was right with TLOU Remake and Kojima's game for Xbox. It's worth to mention that he talked about the Kojima game two years ago. So in my view he seems to be legit. He didn't want to confirm it for 100%, because he said he would fear legal steps against him. So I think there must be truth behind the rumor and now the question is not if, more like when it's going to happen?
Right now Sony has Bungie deal ongoing, so if SIE is the one to buy them, then it must be clearly after that ongoing acquisition. Possibility two would be, that Sony HQ (mother) will buy them, then they would not have to wait until Fall 2022. Because Sony themselves are a different company than Sony Interactive Entertainment. I am really looking forward to this!

 

[balrogboy]

Sony has definitely no one which does develop Japanese games.

no they have jap... oh no wait

 

[Muddasar]

Ember Lab and Deviation Games look very likely.

I personally want Sony to acquire a big Japanese Publisher cause their Japanese developer cupboard is empty. Either Square Enix or Capcom.

Maybe even a WRPG developer too like Larian Studios.

 

[arvfab]

Square Enix is for me the smartest acquisition for Sony in general, not only PlayStation. With beloved franchises like FF, DQ, Nier etc. they have so much potential for movies, animes, series. And considering how many of them already have mobile entries, Sony can only win.