There have been many dominant stories in the gaming industry over the last few years, but one of the ones that easily has had the biggest impact and some of the worst outcomes is that of acquisitions within the gaming space. By that, we refer to how major companies like The Embracer Group, Microsoft, and Sony have gone out of their way at times to snatch up companies to “expand their portfolio” and ensure that they have a “competitive edge” on the market. Today, it’s been revealed that the Elden Ring developer From Software might be next on that list because Sony is going after their publisher.
If you don’t remember this specific hierarchy, From Software is owned by Kadokawa, a media giant in Japan. The company doesn’t just oversee video games but anime, manga, and even collectible figures. The publisher is massively popular in recent times, especially with the numerous successes that From Software has brought them. However, in a report from Reuters, Sony is apparently “in talks” with Kadokawa to buy them out, and that would mean From Software would go under the Sony banner, too.
Now, officially, Sony isn’t just going after From Software. As noted, Kadokawa is a big publisher that covers many things, and Sony has fingers in many of the areas that the publisher is known for, including buying up anime companies when given the chance. Thus, one could just see this as a “portfolio expansion” and nothing more. Yet, if we’re focusing on the gaming space, that’s not exactly true.
While the anime and manga stuff can easily be under the Sony banner without care or issue, as it wouldn’t necessarily affect the anime industry in too big of a way at present, you can’t say the same if From Software gets under the Sony umbrella.
This is because Sony will likely make From Software titles exclusive to the PS5 and only allow them to go elsewhere via PC. After all, this has been its strategy for a long time, even with key setbacks, delays, and layoffs due to falling profits in the gaming sector. Even when it had Game of the Year contenders, the titles barely sold 1.5 million units, which isn’t sustainable across all exclusives.
However, From Software titles are known for their sales, as Elden Ring sold over 25 million. Granted, that was across all platforms, but the intent remains the same.
If Sony acquires this developer, many gamers will likely lose access to some of the best upcoming titles.
