
Sony is poised to purchase Kadokawa, the Japanese media conglomerate spanning various businesses across gaming, manga, and anime. One of its most noteworthy subsidiaries is FromSoftware, a longtime PlayStation partner on projects like Demon’s Souls and Bloodborne.
In the aftermath of co-op game Elden Ring: Nightreign’s announcement, many are pondering what the acquisition could mean for the future of the Tokyo-based developer. According to game director Junya Ishizaki, it still doesn’t really know.
“To be perfectly honest, we just don’t know right now at the moment where the discussion currently is at,” he told IGN. “If it’s taking place, we're not privy to it.”
Both Sony and Kadokawa have confirmed that discussions are taking place, while staff of the latter have signalled an eagerness for the deal to go ahead, citing the company’s current poor leadership as a reason for it to embrace change.
While there’s a good chance the discussions could still break down, Kadokawa’s business perfectly aligns with Sony’s current goals, and its shares recently reached a record high on the back of talks taking place.
We actually think this deal will eventually go through, as Sony has already invested in both Kadokawa and FromSoftware. We don’t think that signals the end of multiformat releases for franchises like Elden Ring, though; we expect the Japanese giant to be quite hands off should the acquisition get finalised.
[source ign.com]
Comments 24
At this point, all I want to hear about the story is if it's finalised or cancelled.
It makes me wonder if they are pushing out their live co-op game w an ever encroaching death circle because they want to get it out before the sale. Cause who knows after that...
Based on Sony's latest statement - they are none too happy with Kadokawa 'leaking' to the press. That was always going to be counter-productive (unless they were hoping for a different buyer). I don't know we're that close to a solution, because of all the other ancillary holdings Kadokawa had... and their stated position not to divest/re-structure ahead of a purchase.
If the acquisition goes through you can bet Nightreign is the last ever From Software game to launch on Xbox.
@IOI I doubt it
So maybe Bloodborne Remake for PS6 launch
Why would the reporter expect one of the "medium stratum" to know what the top hats are doing?
He may be the chief of his department, but that's still a few floors lower than the "decision making party" level.
@Oz_Who_Dat_Dare I think the "leak" was intentional on Kadokawa's part to send a signal to any potential interested buyers, "Now's the time to give us a better offer, otherwise Sony is going to be the new owner."
Even with some loss of goodwill ("leaking" intent to purchase is considered not kosher), it can work as a good tactic to both slightly pressure Sony to not get out of the negotiations (since other buyers are now aware that Sony is interested in Kadokawa and may buy it), and for any other interested buyer (because they can get Kadokawa instead of Sony and reap any benefits Sony would have otherwise gotten).
Something better happen soon, that Madness meter is filling up awfully quickly among the Xbox playerbase.
If the deal goes through then I'd expect Acquire to be shut down but Spike Chunsoft to stay around and stay multiplatform. From Software on the other hand could go either way, if Microsoft plan to keep Elder Scrolls 6 exclusive then I would make Elden Ring 2 a PS5/PC exclusive in return.
Why does this even need saying? Of course they aren't going to be privy to those discussions. Would you expect the manager at your local nationwide supermarket to be clued in on a potential sale of the entire business?
I think that’s the same thing the same guy said about Switch 2.😂
It would be weird if he did know
They are employees, they don't need to know and this is what I meant when I said most people who have the change to talk to FS devs don't have any taste. They are making a focused multiplayer in the ER world, that is very interesting in many ways and these guys ask about Sony instead ... lol.
If it happens at all I wouldn't expect updates until next year. The actually interesting part from this post is the name of the director. If this game is not that good, people are only going to group it with Dark Souls 2.
@IOI I highly doubt that.
@IOI
that is absolutely certain. Fromsoftware will become SIEs new prestige studio.
@IOI You never heard of Marathon or Lego Horizon, I presume
Fromsoftware games will be exclusive Sony isn’t gonna make the same mistake like they did with budgie.
@Herculean
that was because of Bungie and Lego. and the Horizon game wasn't even released for the Xbox...
If From doesn't insist 100% on being allowed to continue developing games for the Xbox (and they won't) then it's over Fromsoftware games for the Xbox.
@Macpac33 you don’t understand Kadokawa want Sony to buy them for they can stay Japanese owned company.
@Macpac33 I’m listen to what reliable journalist and the rumors are saying. You just seem hurt that Sony buying Kadokawa. I doubt Sony gonna confirm they’re intent to buy Kadokawa to the public and not buy them. This deal is probably almost finished between the two companies.
@extragood it was clearly intentional - either to pressure Sony to accept the deal, or to pump investor options. Either way, not only is it not kosher, it can also be seen as stock price manipulation; either way, if both parties don't approve the release, and the negotiation is under an NDA, then I think it's black-and-white wrong; and Sony will be pissed.
Of course - there may be situations where Sony didn't mind the leak; depending on their objectives...their own stock has increased in value by 16% in the last month (not saying that's causal). Maybe they are also looking for potential buyers of the non-core components; so they can split Kadokawa up as they buy it (rather than have to deal with it afterwards).
@UltimateOtaku91 there be no er2 they already stated they are not making a sequel
@Slayer25c That not entirely correct- The said they wont do a direct sequel to ER. Not that they wont do another Elden Ring game.
It's like the Dark Souls games, those aren't "sequals" per se. More like standalone games within the same universe. It will be the same for Elden Ring. They already stated in an earlier interview that they want to do a ER game set about 1000 or so years before Elden Ring (1).
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