PlayStation has an immense back catalogue of valuable IPs, but part of the company's success is its willingness to explore new territory. Through each hardware generation, we've been treated to brand new worlds and characters, and these new ventures have of course been supported by reliable sequels in popular series. It looks like the balance is set to shift, though, with a more even split between new IP and established franchises.
In Sony's investor briefing, one slide focuses on where PlayStation's investment into IP goes. In financial year 2019, the platform holder says 77 per cent was put towards existing properties, with development of new IP seemingly not a priority. However, looking forward, the company forecasts a clean 50/50 split between new and existing IP in financial year 2025.
We're already starting to see evidence of this. Returnal is the first major new IP for PS5, though we've also had the less well-received Destruction AllStars as well. Looking ahead, Sony acquired Haven Studios, a team busy making a new, live service title. Similarly, Deviation Games is partnered with PlayStation on an exclusive new IP, and London Studio, Bend Studio, and others are working on brand new things.
On the other side of the coin, it does mean a slight reduction of investment in existing franchises, but that's not to say we won't be getting sequels anymore. Just this year, we've had Horizon Forbidden West and Gran Turismo 7, and God of War Ragnarok and Marvel's Spider-Man 2 are on the way. Of course, we shouldn't concern ourselves too much about where PlayStation's putting its money, but it looks like we'll be getting a healthy dose of both old and new moving forward. Here's hoping the games themselves remain consistently good.
[source sony.com]
Comments 21
I'm welcoming this. Also, I would like to see more genre variety within first party.
Excellent. We dont want to lose some of the excellent ip we have, but we definately want more new ips too, so this balance seems fine to me.
Makes total sense.
Santa Monica is developing a new IP under Cory.
Naughty Dog is due a new IP.
Bend is on to something new.
Socom is being revived currently.
Insomniac are making a multiplayer game.
Even rumours a team has broke off inside Guerilla to make a new game, maybe Killzone or new IP.
This console will be the generation of new and old IP and I can’t wait to see what it holds.
@dschons Yes, absolutely.
I feel like a broken record saying this, but a new IP in the form of a big high fantasy RPG or action RPG from a first party studio is what I'd love to see.
It's the only gap in the PlayStation stable for me.
I’d like to have more games in general. 4 to 5 high quality titles a year would be a dream. I feel like I’m constantly waiting for the next big thing.
@Shepherd_Tallon My thoughts exactly. Apparently, Naughty Dog is working on a fantasy setting game. I could see that being an Action RPG. But a full blown high fantasy RPG would be awesome.
Great to hear as although I like a lot of the existing IPs it's always good to let these studios use their creativity to come up with something completely new.
Personally I like that I love new IP and PlayStation always delivers them but I hate great series that I love just sitting there not being used (clutches collection of Sly games)😭
Sony definitely needs more shooting and racing games, IMO. Not so many that they end up with Xbox's problem of them being all there is, but a new Killzone/SOCOM and something like 'Gran Turismo Horizon' would be great.
Can't wait to see what Bend Studio and Bluepoint are working on as they are supposedly new IPs
I hope there's a good variety of old and new IP. While I like Sony is more willing to try newer IPs sometimes it stinks to see some series be left doing nothing when they have plenty of life left in them. Not just there but genre variety, I feel like we've had too many open world games on PS4 from Sony and the PS5 has been providing good variety so far which I hope continues.
@dschons I wouldn't say no to a high fantasy game in their style of action adventure either actually.
But yeah, a big RPG or ARPG would be lovely.
@OmegaStriver well if it lives up to being 'next big thing' then it makes the wait worth it imo.
@PlayNation5 Microsoft basically dominates FPS at this point owning Halo, Doom and soon Call of Duty so Sony will have to make one themselves whether it's a new IP or older one. And it's crazy to think how many racing games they use to have from PS1 up to PS3 and then the only things we got outside Gran Turismo were Driveclub which the studio was shut down and a Wipeout Collection. Considering they own Firesprite now consisting of former Studio Liverpool employees who worked on it they should have someone they could give racing games to work on if needed.
Hopefully By 2025 They Have More Studios To Work With Because. As It Currently Stands Sony Doesn't Have Enough Studios For All Of The Stuff They Are Trying To Do.
Good diversify between some sequels and continue with new ips and worlds. Dont get stuck in microsoft world where they continue to just toss out halo and gears of war as they have drug halo through the mud for better part of 10 years now
Sly cooper collection.resistance collection etc.make new horror and jrpg.and open world games.platformers is cool also.word up son
How it should be baby.
@dschons
I second this. I hope PS Studios explores different genres in regards to any new IPs from here on out. Returnal was a good first step. But let’s see a FPS game, a survival horror game, a metroidvania, a stealth game, etc.
A lot of good news.
I wish push was more positive but It’s like asking the impossible.
Excellent news! I'm looking forward to all of their future games.
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