Mibu no ookami
Sorry it took me a min to get back to your post. Also didn't realize that each paragraph is replying to a bullet point of mine, so I will take it one by one.
So much of the media has been anti-Sony in the last few years, but it is becoming hard to ignore the reality that their position is becoming growingly dominant. It would be like saying Netflix is struggling despite being the overwhelming market leader in streaming and seeing their market cap explode.
It's partly a byproduct of how much Microsoft worked to drive certain bits of drivel very very deep into the collective subconscious of gamers and gaming media. Things like "Gamepass increases sales" "when we all play we all win" etc etc.
The other part of it is, Sony is a company that isn't really out to be loved, their music side is a fierce copyright warrior, Playstation has been really really not very communicative with its audience for a while now (maybe because they know that what's they're doing rn is unpopular?)..etc
I'm not sure that is the catalyst. I think you have a lot of factors. A couple of failed M&A including Paramount and Mecha Comics and the general need for more IP and stronger first party studios. Which is where I disagree on the integration element. I think FromSoftware under PlayStation Studios pays this deal off within 10 years, maybe even 5 if they're aggressive.
I think if nothing else, SIE is definitely getting From under its umbrella, the synergy when it comes to tech and strategy is honestly very strong, plus SIE is the subsidiary that Sony chose to be its existing investment arm in From.
Kadokawa is a major get for Sony. Sony can accelerate them as a publisher in a way they couldn't really compete with the big manga publishers. This can lead directly to bigger anime releases from them, which pipelines directly to Crunchyroll in the West. Right now Sony doesn't really have a mechanism for competing with the major manga publishers and Kadokawa doesn't have the scale.
I think Sony wants to have a full front to back IP development pipeline and Kadokawa is fully equipped to deliver on that.
I've mentioned this before but Kadokawa slots in under Sony Music and largely operates independently, the integration comes easier simply from IP ownership and funding meeting strategy.
Sony generating more operating income will allow them to grow more quickly. I'm still waiting for a merger of Crunchyroll and PS+.
I don't think we will see a merger of Crunchyroll and PS+ unless it creates value for Sony itself. Maybe with Kadokawa they would be able to leverage such a thing?
bloodborne.fandom.com
