This thread is to discuss and analyze Sony's new acquisition strategy.
Sony acquired a record five studios in 2021 bringing the total to 17. This is the first time they have acquired more than one studio in a year. Past gaps between acquisitions ranged from 1 to 5 years driven by a "first, best, must" philosophy but as we all know it's buying season in the games industry. The old rules no longer apply and more acquisitions are expected.
Here is a summary of 2021's acquisitions:
Also in 2021, Sony announced major third party partnerships with new studios. These ones are notable because unlike previous partnerships they were announced on the blog with no game.
What do you think of Sony's recent acquisitions and partnerships? What do you expect to see?
Updates:
2022 acquisitions:
There were credible rumors in March 2022 that Sony was about to make a major acquisition (later said to be Square Enix).
Here is another related thread on Sony's spending plans.
Sony acquired a record five studios in 2021 bringing the total to 17. This is the first time they have acquired more than one studio in a year. Past gaps between acquisitions ranged from 1 to 5 years driven by a "first, best, must" philosophy but as we all know it's buying season in the games industry. The old rules no longer apply and more acquisitions are expected.
Here is a summary of 2021's acquisitions:
- Housemarque (June 29, 2021): Arcade games, platformers, twin stick shooters, third person action
- Nixxes (July 1, 2021): Support studio, PC porting (confirmed to be focusing on PC ports)
- Firesprite (September 8, 2021): Casual augmented reality, virtual reality, horror FPS
- Bluepoint Games (September 30, 2021): Remakes, remasters and ports (confirmed to be making an original game)
- Valkyrie Entertainment (December 10, 2021): Support studio
Also in 2021, Sony announced major third party partnerships with new studios. These ones are notable because unlike previous partnerships they were announced on the blog with no game.
- Haven Entertainment Studios (March 16, 2021): New IP, rumored GaaS
- Firewalk Studios (April 22, 2021): New IP, AAA GaaS Destiny-like
Deviation Games(June 10, 2021): New IP, AAA, narrative focuslikely dropped/cancelled (May 13, 2023)
What do you think of Sony's recent acquisitions and partnerships? What do you expect to see?
Updates:
2022 acquisitions:
- Bungie ($3.6 billion)(January 31, 2022): Halo, Destiny, continuing to self publish and stay multiplatform, announced Marathon for PS5, XBS and PC on May 24, 2023 (sci-fi PvP extraction GaaS)
- Haven Entertainment Studios (March 21, 2022): Announced Fairgame$ for PS5 and PC on May 24, 2023 (competitive heist GaaS)
- Savage Game Studios (August 29, 2022): AAA mobile GaaS action game, new and existing IPs
- Firewalk Studios (April 20, 2023): Announced Concord for PS5 and PC on May 24, 2023 (sci-fi PvP FPS GaaS)
- Audeze (August 24, 2023): High-end gaming headphones, continuing to operate independently with products remaining multiplatform
- iSIZE (November 2, 2023): Deep Learning for video delivery, will benefit video and streaming services
There were credible rumors in March 2022 that Sony was about to make a major acquisition (later said to be Square Enix).
Here is another related thread on Sony's spending plans.
Sony Group has $5.1 billion to spend on investments until 2024 (update: reduced to $3.7 billion) Sony
Watch Sony Group's Morgan Stanley conference from 30:45 to hear it directly. In 2021: In 2022: Now in 2023, Sony has ¥700 billion remaining for investments. This translates to around $5 billion USD. Sony's investments since the $18.4 billion announcement include the following...
www.resetera.com
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