Sony has always had the capacity to throw a curveball, but under the stewardship of current CEO Kaz Hirai it’s become a lot less unpredictable. Nevertheless, the announcement that Sony Music is to form a new publishing label named Unties definitely comes as a bit of surprise – especially seeing as it will be porting content to rival consoles such as the Nintendo Switch.
One of the products in its fledgling portfolio is Tiny Metal, an Advance Wars-esque strategy game set to release on the PC, PlayStation 4, and – yes – Nintendo Switch next month.
Here’s a little more information on all of the titles currently slated to release under the Unties publishing label:
Tiny Metal
Platforms: PS4, PC, Switch
DEEMO Reborn
Platforms: PS4, PlayStation VR
Last Standard
Platforms: PC
Merkava Avalanche
Platforms: PC
While this whole initiative does seem strange, it’s not unprecedented: Loot Interactive is a game developer that was once a part of Sony Pictures, and it ported Q*Bert Rebooted to the Xbox One a few years ago. And even more recently, PlayStation has published games like Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture and Helldivers on Steam, while it licensed Flower to Annapurna Interactive in order to enable an iOS release.
We’re just not sure we see the logic in Sony Music setting up its own game publishing division, when Sony Interactive Entertainment exists to do exactly that. We know that the audio organisation owns one of the biggest smartphone games in the world right now, but this seems like the sort of thing that Kaz Hirai should be shutting down.
[source unties.com, via gematsu.com, eurogamer.net]
Comments 33
Tiny Metal actually looks pretty good, y'know.
@get2sammyb Will buy on Switch.
@ShogunRok
Thought you guys accidently reposted an old April Fools article there for a second. Still, cool, I wanted Tiny Metal on the Switch. Love me Advance Wars gameplay.
BUT...THE CONSOLE WARS?!
Deemo caught my attention when it released on vita sometime ago, but completely forgot about it till now.
If they get the VR right, this game could be really great.
I had a dream about this once.
I've been wanting a new AW-esque title on a portable platform for basically forever now. Wargroove isn't due out until next year, so this cute-looking game could fill the void in the meantime.
Not a bad idea...bring games to Nintendo’s platform and perhaps get Nintendo to bite on porting titles to PlayStation?
@jgrangervikings1 That'll be the big PSX announcement, Miyamoto comes on stage to reveal the Zelda BOTW and Mario Odyssey are coming to PS4
Weird but not really earth shattering... I would have probably pooped in my pants in excitement at EGTTR or Journey being ported to Switch.
I remember back in the day playing a few games on SNES (I don't remember which ones exactly) and seeing a Sony logo on a few of them when I booted the games up.
Its so SIE can distance itself from the Music section, dolling out small investment big return dross on competitor consoles and keeping the AAA on the PS4. I understand why they would do it.
@Tasuki Skyblazer is a good one.
Yesterday the sun was red and today we have this news?! Whatever's next?
@adf86 With 4k + 60 fps on pro and cloud cross-save between version
@BLP_Software Yeah it's weird, why sony music has their own game division.
Although sony music fgo game is really successfull so maybe kaz doesn't mind?
Sony. What are you doing?
Sony releasing games on PC and Switch, but not on Vita...
Great way to respect your fanbase. /s
@wiiware Well of course, if it didn't Digital Foundry will go mad.
I'm confused.
I remember when Microsoft used to do this on GBA and DS, because they didn't feel those systems posed any threat to their Xbox ecosystem. Looks like Sony is the same with NS - with Nintendo out of the home console space and their handheld install base set to diminish with the NS, Sony doesn't seem to be exactly worried.
@Mahe Um...What? The Switch IS their new home console, but doubles as a hybrid for portable play. It's Sony's Vita that's convinced Sony not to invest anymore in the handheld market.
Wow that's cool will be getting that on switch
@RyanSilberman hehe... he’s... special...
@ShogunRok Does it matter they still make money of you.
@RyanSilberman So its making the 3DS obsolete in the end does it not?
Merkava Avalanche and Last Standard look kind of terrible.
What?
@Flaming_Kaiser Maybe in 2021 when the 3DS finally stops getting games? As far as I'm concerned, the 3DS is still alive and kicking, and it won't slow down yet. That's how It's been for the original DS as well.
@RyanSilberman The NS is obviously a handheld, portable by nature, and just because it can plug into a TV, it's not a home console any more than a PSP.
@RyanSilberman @Mahe Actually it is the new home console(and handheld) It's a pure hybrid in any way.
I loved Advance wars growing up, I'd love Tiny metal on vita, but ill take it for ps4 and call it a day.
@NickOfTime90 Actually it is a handheld. Have you even seen the thing? A "pure hybrid" would have an actual home console implementation instead of what the NS has.
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