Sony has started licensing some of its dormant intellectual property to third-parties.
While its relationship with Bandai Namco is most notable in the aftermath of this week’s Nintendo Direct, it’s a practice the platform holder has been engaging in for a little longer.
Cast your mind back to 2023’s FantaVision remake, which was developed and published by Cosmo Machia for PS5 and PC, under license from PlayStation. This was the beginning of the strategy.
Earlier this year it handed the rights to Freedom Wars to Bandai Namco so that creator Dimps could remaster it for multiple platforms, and now it’s working with the same publisher to license out the Patapon and Everybody’s Golf brands.
All of these games have something in common: they were originally created by Japan Studio, and they’re fan favourites.
With the PlayStation fanbase often lamenting the fact that many of Sony’s oldest franchises are lying dormant, this may be the best path to reviving some of the platform holder’s most beloved series.
For instance, a remaster of the first two Gravity Rush games would likely find an audience across PS5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. While you can already play the first two titles on Sony’s system via backwards compatibility, we’re sure consumers would show up for a repackaged version with various improvements.
Tokyo Jungle is another title we see thrown around quite a lot. The PS3 roguelike was a tremendous title, and it performed admirably in its domestic Japan, but its punishing gameplay was a little misunderstood in 2012. We think a re-release would be much better received in this modern era.
In fact, there’s loads of games from Sony’s back catalogue that we reckon could have life left in them yet.
Puppeteer was a superb side-scrolling platformer, but it released on the PS3 months prior to the PS4’s arrival, and ultimately was utterly overshadowed. But it would easily find an audience on modern platforms, if the manufacturer was willing to license the IP out.
Soul Sacrifice is another forgotten gem that we reckon could find a home on PC and contemporary consoles. The game plugs into that old-school Monster Hunter format, but its macabre artwork and sacrificial-based gameplay sets it apart from its peers, and we reckon its distinctive visual style would shine with an up-res.
The thing about all of these games is that Sony’s never actually going to do anything with any of them ever again. Japan Studio is closed and the company’s moved on.
While that hurts to hear as a PlayStation fan, the best it can do is allow interested third-parties to resurrect them. And that’s what we’re seeing with the likes of Patapon and Everybody’s Golf: they may no longer be console exclusives, but at least they actually exist.
So, if you’re a fan of Japan Studio and its long legacy, this is something you should probably be championing. Support the new ports when they deploy, and generally be vocal about your passion for these properties.
It’s sad that PlayStation has moved on from some of these iconic brands, but it would be worse watching them rot. At least with this licensing strategy, there’s a legitimate opportunity for more great franchises to get a second chance. And if they sell really well, there’s always the chance Sony may decide to bring them back.
Let’s hope Bandai Namco’s trailblazing actions encourage more Sony series to quite literally rise from their graves.
How do you feel about Sony’s licensing strategy? Do you agree this is the best path for some of these iconic franchises to come back? Is this a path you’re comfortable with the platform holder taking? Are there any other series you’d like to see it explore licensing opportunities with? Let us know in the comments section below.
Comments 71
It makes sense, if they don't want the hassle, let another studio work their magic on them
No. Most of these games are available right now and at a discounted price. If people won't buy Gravity Rush 2 at $20 now on PSN why would they pay full price for it on Steam or Switch. This is just port begging mostly by people who somehow STILL have not played these games yet but keep praising them online.
if Sony arnt doing anything with a dormant IP let others make games with them and make a cut.
its basically free money surprised more IP owners dont do it
Surely someone will want to pick up Wild arms, right? The thing even had an anime. Such a wasted brand.
Same for Ape escape.
If it gets me new entries, I am all for it. New wipeout and rollcage would be nice too.
This is the best route for both their dormant IPs and to help fill up the space between the big blockbuster releases.
Also releasing the games on PS5, Switch and PC helps with sales too. It's beneficial to everyone, the fans that love these IPs, Sony and the third party dev developing it.
Removed - disrespecting others
I'm all for this approach, I'd much rather see new entries for for these games and for many of them it makes sense to be on Switch as well to attract a broader audience
If PlayStation keeps the big blockbusters exclusive for over a year and then release on PC, make the smaller franchises multiplatform by outsourcing them to other studios then I'd be happy with that. Going full multiplatform like Xbox I think would be a mistake but this sounds like a win to me.
As someone that prefers the PS ecosystem over nintys and to an extent over pc, not a fan of them doing this. But I wasn't a fan of them putting their western games on pc either and it's not like that's gonna change anytime soon. So like I said in the other article, as soon as bloodborne and gravity rush (hell maybe even Uedas games) are ported to other places, it's over. PS is going the way of Xbox just from a different angle
But as a fan of some of these games, if this does lead to new games in their series or new games like them, then ofc I'm for it. I absolutely want a gravity rush 3 and if this is the way that leads to it so be it
Yes, revive your dorment IPs, Sony. Leave the toxic AF Jim Ryan era behind.
Completely agree, If Sony ain't doing anything with the IP and are happy giving them to others, then everyone wins.
There's no downside really with this approach. At worst the revival isn't received well and then the IP is right back where it was before anyway. I have no idea why anyone would be against this approach. Like it's been said clearly Sony isn't interested in working on them in-house so why not? Literally nothing to lose.
If we get a Folklore Remastered out of this strategy I would quite literally be over the moon with excitement!
If some developer has an idea to do something cool with an IP Sony's not using, it makes perfect sense to license the IP out. Sony gets some extra money for basically doing nothing, the developer gets a bit more media attention by bringing back a cult classic (which helps the games find an audience and be successful) and fans get to see dormant things they love revived. As long as the game is good it seems like an easy "everybody wins" kind of deal.
I'd love to see Remasters of Soul Sacrifice and White Knight Chronicles next 🙏.
Oooh Tokyo Jungle AND Soul Sacrifice... I approve of this article!
Motorstorm and Wipeout could be some good candidates too.
I would do bad things for a remaster/make of Puppeteer and Gravity Rush 1/2. I would do even worse things for sequels!!!
No, dear SIE. Just let Asobi staff up and create a second team which starts with remastering old favourites for PS5. In the second step they should create successors, and in the third step they should create new IPs with quirky and interesting gameplay mechanics.
If Gravity Rush 2 released on Steam it would do Concord numbers, and anyone who thinks differently is living in a dream world.
IPs such as MotorStorm, Wipeout and ModNation Racers are as dead as a dodo but would sell well on the newer PlayStations if they were rebooted so why not lease them out?
I think it's a great idea.
Though it's a little weird Nintendo remains the only publisher that hasn't ported any of their games to outside ecosystems. I guess the console wars really are over. And, given how people on this site have responded to Xbox's multiplatform endeavors, maybe it's time to consider a PC/Switch 2 combo...
Or just keep buying whatever — that's fine too.
I'd buy gravity rush again on switch after beating both those games already. I love those games.
Warhawk, that's what I want.
@ChrisDeku Actually, if it had any semblance of marketing, I can see it doing very well with arguably the most otaku'ed marketplace.
I can see it doing better in Nintendo's ecosystem than PlayStation's, as well. It still wouldn't make The Last of Us numbers, but porting it to those platforms could EASILY triple lifetime sales.
Soul sacrifice and the puppeteer would be amazing. Word up son
Really curious about the new Wipeout by SEGA (yeah, looks like it's happening).
I'll support this strategy as it allows other platforms to enjoy the AA games that Sony themselves doesn't even want to be bothered with.
Plus, Japan Studios games just feels right at home on Switch/Switch 2 consoles
I'm all for a Gravity Rush, Wild ARMS, Ape Escape (if they can get around with all the PS references in the game) and more on Switch/Switch 2
Gravity Rush 3 for PS5, PC and Switch 2 would be the dream.
"The thing about all of these games is that Sony’s never actually going to do anything with any of them ever again. Japan Studio is closed and the company’s moved on." This is 50% true.
Let's say for some miracle Patapon sells millions of copies. What exactly would stop sony from making Patapon 4? This isn't Insomniac giving the rights of publishing Sunset Overdrive to MS until there are 3 main games.
Right now Death Stranding 2 is in the top of charts in Japan which means while japanese people aren't that interested in ps games anymore the games they are actually interested in are going to sell doesn't matter if they are owned by sony or not. (DS isn't owned by sony, i know)
Sony doesn't have the motivation to explore the japanese market by themselves so they are letting Bandai try and make all the money they can but if anything hits big time there is no logic behind to say they won't cash in that success. On the side of Bandai it's not like they are going to waste money either, this is a business after all, Patapon 1 and 2 were already remastered by sony if they don't sell is unlikely we see Patapon 3 ported in the future.
BTW the gravity rush to pc by Sony were going to happens yes or yes IF the movie actually comes out. The same strategy as Until Dawn and keeping the release of TLOU2 until the release of the second season.
As long as the games are good I'm all for it.
It's a necessary step to test the waters for full third party development.
If Sony see some decent money from this then it won't be long until the less dormant franchise make their move to other platforms too.
I wish more IP holders would do this instead of just letting them rot. I get that after multiple games in a series, maybe the current developers just don't know where to take the IP anymore. It makes more sense for someone with a great idea to make an official sequel than to end up with the millionth copy cat that was influenced by the IP. As far as the jump to other platforms, I don't care, put all the games everywhere. I will pick where I want to play them based on my preference.
Better than these IP rotting in their basement
It's an exciting concept, Wipeout would be my most wanted dormant Sony IP to return.
The multiplatform side of things? I think it's a risky choice by Sony considering what happened to Xbox but in the end I think Switch 2 and PS6 will coexist. Pick up Switch 2 if you want to play anywhere or experience Nintendo's exclusives, pick up PS6 if you want to play the 3rd party games Switch 2 can't run.
unless they are going to enhance these games on some level, graphically or feature wise, then i have no interest in them. i think it is a bit shameful that sony is lisensing the games out to other publishers (who share no attachment to the games) rather than sony themselves doing the work. it conveys a complete lack of interest in sony's own legacy which is a bit insulting to be honest. but i suppose its better than nothing
So who is going to be the brave one to license Fat Princess? Also, someone can make a new PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale that doesn't suck.
@3Above I've pretty much fully moved over to PC now, so would personally jump at the chance for Gravity Rush on Steam - especifically as it would mean I could also play them on Steam Deck
They should do something with InFamous.
Gravity Rush 3 Sony. Make it happen.
@Max_the_German Increasing the size of Team Aosbi to create an extra team would rather defeat the point. Sony cut Asobi away from Japan Studio so they could have a focused developer with a small team dedicated to one project. It's the same for Media Molecule.
This is a good idea because he gives studios work and I'm all for that with the jobs been lost over the last few years. And if it brings back old IPs it fills the void for when they don't have any big games coming, they've should have done this for every era of Playstation from PS3
@PapaGlitch I appreciate that there are people in the same boat as you. I just can't understand how after 9 yrs some still have not bought GR Remastered on PS4 for cheap but are willing to pay $60 for it on a different platform. Same with the Patapon Remasters on PS4. I even saw someone hoping for Medieval to come back apparently not knowing about the PS4 Remake from yrs ago.
Freedom Wars is more understandable as it was Vita exclusive.
If the amount of people who Say they want these games would actually buy them, even this many yrs after release, Sony would take notice.
Good idea if there not doing it themselves let other's develop new games and sit back and collect a check but good God someone help penny blood and armed fantasia
@Lowdefal money is always the motivation brother. That was what I tried to say.
They don't want to use money to explore the business that those franchises could develop because they predict those games won't sell millions and that doesn't fit their business model yet, they are still accepting the fact that games like Astro (more than 1 million less than a best seller) are needed.
I don't think it's a favor either, just business as you said. If the games hit Bandai gets the initial success and then sony can cash later or Bandai can make new games for sony, either way both can make good money from this.
With the info available you can make an estimation of a little more than 50,000 units sold for Freedom Wars remastered. Patapon looks promising, Everybody's Golf not so much. Only time will tell.
@ChrisDeku Obviously no one expects a game like Gravity Rush 2 to do big numbers on PC. Nevertheless, Sony ain't doing jack all with their japanese IPs so is it really a bad idea for them to outsource them to other studios to bring them to other platforms, be it as ports, collections or remasters? Literally the only ones that will be negatively affected by this are certain playstation fanboys' egos.
Besides, as someone who doesn't game on PC, i'd rather buy a Soul Sacrifice remaster for the Switch than on the PS5 since that game just feels more fit on a portable console than on a home console.
Soul Sacrifice is a great choice in part because it's built from the ground up with handheld play in mind, just like Freedom Wars, so it should shine on Switch or Steam Deck more than a PS5 version would.
@ChrisDeku I was thinking the same. I do not get what people see in that game.
Ideally, PlayStation would value A and AA internally, but we all know that's not going to happen. So, them licensing out their Japanese IP to other publishers who will foot the bill is the next best thing. I'm all for it.
I expect LocoRoco will be next. Possibly Echochrome collection to appeal to the puzzle heads on Switch and PC. Maybe this is the way for Parappa to finally be revived.
But I hope they don't just limit it to Bamco. Let other JPN publishers in on it. Square Enix to handle the remastered rereleases of Sony's RPGs. Many other JPN publishers still value A and AA titles, so loan them the IP.
Personally, I hope an interested JPN publisher approaches Sony to remaster Siren 1 and 2. 16:9 support, 4K, 60FPS, Japanese dub support. Perhaps some QoL tweaks. And someone please, remaster and localise the Over My Dead Body PSP remake. One of the best RPGs (the Vita successor was a downgrade).
Maybe The Legend of Dragoon could receive a modern remaster with some added quality of life improvements through this strategy with Bandai Namco.
I’m really thankful we have The Legend of Dragoon available on PS5 and PS4 as part of their PS1 Classics Catalogue, don’t get me wrong, but I’m just thinking maybe it’s possible for a wider audience to experience the classic PS1 JRPG through a strategy like this. The same goes for a lot of other older Sony IPs.
While I think the best dream scenario would be for Sony itself to develop a full on remake of The Legend of Dragoon for PS5 or PS6, I just don’t know if such a thing is realistic. But a remaster of the PS1 game itself with some added quality of life improvements, on the other hand, could be more of a possibility at this point, I think.
Nothing is guaranteed, of course, but I’ve long since learned to never say never to miracles happening in the video game industry. I’ve seen too many good things happen to rule out the possibility of an older IP given a bit of a new life or brought back in some way. Again, nothing is guaranteed, but I’ve learned to never say never at this point. And this strategy with licensing out IPs to Bandai Namco is one more example for me to remember and continue to believe that good things can happen, and that older IPs can be brought back in some way or another.
As long as there is quality control, I'm all for it.
@3Above I didn't even know Sony wore boots and yet you've still managed to lick them.
@tabris95 🤣
It would depend on what agreements that Sony and the third party have signed. If the agreement only allows the third party to only make a port, then that is all that will happen, but most Sony titles already have ps4/ps5 versions anyway. Then it depends on what platforms the third parties can release the games on, fewer platforms fewer potential revenue. Now if Sony outright sell the IP then the new owners can largely do what they want with the newly acquired IP, it unlikely Sony would do this. If Sony is only licensed IP then it's unlikely the new publisher will be motivated to create any new titles unless they have the right to in there contact.
This is a great way for Sony to vet out some younger studios not yet affiliated with them, have the developers get their feet wet and gain more experience, and maybe revive some classic IPs in the process. It’s a no brainer for Sony really
Puppeteer would feel great on a Switch, and maybe finally get the attention it deserves. That said, I would be most excited for Soul Sacrifice, it always looked cool but I never got a chance to play it.
It's not just it's Eastern IP.
Resistance, killzone and infamous remain dormant for 11 years plus each.
If it's just going to be Japan Studio games Ape Escape would be one I want most though
As long as they keep a tight quality control over their IP's, so they don't end up a mockery in another studio's hands, I've got no problem with Sony licensing them.
@get2sammyb “they were originally created by Japan Studio”
This is untrue. I love this site but please do more research/fact checking before publishing stuff.
Japan Studio only provided external support akin to what XDev do now.
As long that they get a new life and if it improves the chances of sequels of Freedom Wars, Gravity Rush and especially Wild Arms I'm totally fine with it.
Feels like a test. Obviously the risk here is brand/IP damage and that's why they've given license to IP they were never liked to ever revive themselves and if successes can be made with those they may be willing to license out some of their more appealing dormant IP.
The dream would be to get dormant IP like Jak and daxter, Sly, resistance and killzone from sony's flagship studios.
Would love to see Gravity Rush 1&2 get a 60fps PS5 patch.
@ThorsHammer I was playing Puppeteer a few weeks ago on my PS3. Such an amazing game and it's a real shame it never got the recognition it deserves.
When there is no clear release schedule of 1st party PlayStation games coming....... 4 years into the gen, that I and millions of others can give full price money to PS for, IN THE MILLIONS, IN THE FIRST FEW DAYS A GAME RELEASES............. then I don't know how this route can mean anything. Lego Horizon was a spectacular flop because, I'm never buying a Horizon game on a multiplat game engine, designed to run on a Nintendo console even Nintendo stopped making games for. And I can tell you right now.........nobody on PC and Switch bought it either lol.
They wasted too much time on live service trash and now we have hit a lull, a lull I have foretold since 2021, commenting on the PS Blog ever since that DISASTROUS "What is Next for PS Studios" post Hermen Hulst did in June 2021. https://blog.playstation.com/2021/06/02/hermen-hulst-qa-whats-next-for-playstation-studios/
Just look at the comments on that blog post and the amount of us PS fans that weren't buying it.
One of the BEST comments on that link I posted and still true to this day
WRREAL2 said "you are lucky Xbox is incompetent as ever." So, so, so true even 4 years later.
@RoomWithaMoose You say that but it has technically happened. Platinum had to get Nintendo's blessing to self publish Wonderful 101 (and despite what is said, Platinum didn't reacquire the series iirc). The ports of Fatal Frame 4 and 5 to modern systems had to involve Koei Tecmo getting Nintendos permission too as they were the publisher of their original releases (co-developer in the formers case apparently).
I think Dragon Quest XI S might be a similar situation where Nintendo are the publisher and (co-)funded that release so for the PS and Xbox ports would have to require Nintendo approving some of the additional stuff like 2D mode etc to appear. That said, the whole DQ situation is odd because Project Armor own the IP but license it out to Square-Enix exclusively and yet Nintendo have published and handled localisation for Nintendo releases outside of Japan. Another example would be ports of the original Bayonetta would likely be based on the Wii U version so you'd need to get permission from Nintendo as they own certain elements like the JP dub as they funded it.
Anyway, I drifted away from the topic. You're probably thinking 'yeah, but I meant Nintendo actually publishing on other systems ' in which case, you're right but expect any Nintendo published game to be outsourced to another publisher akin to how Sony are with Bandai Namco. Also, don't expect the likes of Zelda or Metroid and think more along the lines of Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 or a Square Enix RPG.
Special shout-out to Devils Third which it seems Nintendo lost a lot of faith in when releasing it. So much so they never really promoted it and sold the IP to Nexon soon after
Gravity rush 3 would be amazing
@martynstuff You basically already addressed my response to this rebuttal. If it wasn't for LEGO Horizon Adventures and PlayStation's PC presence, I wouldn't have even made that claim.
Though, still to your examples, I don't believe the Nintendo name is anywhere on those post-exclusive releases (you can also probably add LEGO City Undercover, by the way). Whereas Sony's appeared in all these Bandai Namco releases. I don't know if that's just a stipulation of the Sony deal, or if it implies Sony gave/gets a cut. Either way, I'd say that's a bit different from Nintendo's ostensibly nonconditional blessing.
With that said, I'm totally down with BN doing this exact same deal with Nintendo or Microsoft to get some more lost exclusives on modern hardware.
@martynstuff i am under the impression dragon quest is co-owned by yuji hori owner of armor project and square enix..
They aren't doing much with them, might as well make them for other platforms or in the news/more on the storefront on PS5 I guess.
They are getting support technically and an audience seeking to support them, a new audience of a certain size and well, are going somewhere at least.
Will we get spinoffs/sequels I doubt it but eh. Or other entries support as well. Other IPs, other spinoffs/mainlines remade even? Who knows.
I assume most of the niche, low audience risk of vocal responses. The western one may or may not happen and more the Japan Studio supported ones. Whatever licensing they can get or source code I assume to work with, modernise them in a port/remaster way. It's fair to see them get something but yeah it isn't much either.
I'm only going to buy those I genuinely care about or haven't bought already, I'm not double dipping here. I only do with particular games.
@3Above I think you need to read the article again as you seem to be misunderstanding it.
...in an alternative reality, the DriveClub servers went back online
Great! Even less of a reason to buy a PS5 if Sony are putting out these games on other platforms. Saves me money. Looking forward to the new Everybody's Golf, Patapon 1+2, and hopefully Ape Escape on Switch.
@BolkaRover 👍🏽👍🏽
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