Exclusives promote consoles, and after Microsoft’s rapid-fire studio acquisitions over the previous few years, Sony may be on the defensive for the primary time in nearly a decade. The bolstering of Xbox Recreation Studios hasn’t but borne fruit. Nonetheless, quickly, we’ll probably see Microsoft’s platforms placing up a flurry of interesting, unique content material. So it appears inevitable that Sony will make a giant studio buy to offset Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda and Activision Blizzard, however which one?
What studio will Sony purchase subsequent for PlayStation?
A couple of years in the past, there have been a handful of third-party studios that appeared too established to be acquired. In spite of everything, given how profitable it’s, who would assume that ZeniMax Media was even on the market? Nonetheless, that’s not the case, and ZeniMax isn’t any anomaly, as proven by Microsoft’s plans to accumulate Activision Blizzard. So, how will PlayStation reply this?
Rumors of a Game Pass-like service coming to PlayStation are all however confirmed, which implies Sony will probably be on the lookout for extra unique content material to fill out its lineup. It’s doable we’re simply seeing the opening strikes of a serious competitors between Microsoft and Sony to gas their subscription companies with video games.
When Sony goes procuring, it’s probably we’ll see it flip to its dwelling turf, a territory that Microsoft has by no means been in a position to penetrate: Japan. Sony’s robust Japanese ties can be bolstered by buying a serious studio situated there. We are able to consider three that will make for large jewels in Sony’s crown:
- Capcom
- FromSoftware
- Sq. Enix
All three of those corporations have had great success lately and have a treasure trove of IPs that Sony may leverage. Nonetheless, one Japanese studio is ripe for acquisition that’s a greater goal. Konami has basically spent all its goodwill and solely retains its IPs round to make a quick buck sometimes. As such, it could probably be amiable to promote its gaming division for the correct worth. Silent Hill, Steel Gear Stable, and Castlevania alone can be a large boon to Sony’s IP secure.
Solely time will inform what’s in retailer, however we’d hedge our bets on at the very least one of many above studios becoming a member of Sony’s first-party workforce quickly.
In different information, Sony is has renewed the trademark for closed studio Psygnosis, and a serious third-party PlayStation unique should be revealed this 12 months.
