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[Elios83]

This seems just speculation from some analysts/journalists.
But imo both companies are a perfect match given the common interests in many different media.
I wonder if a deal will be reached before Christmas.

 

[Katatonic]

This is what happens when you foster organic growth.

 

[Fahdis]

This whore.

Please don't call me, RoboFu , Topher and DenchDeckard out in Public so non-chalantly. Thanks.

I'd put EviLore here too but I'm worried the boss would fire me for late receipts.

Also, the deal won't go through. Herman will make it into another $150 Million GaaS disaster.

 

[MikeM]

Could you imagine a Bloodboune/Elden Ring anime?

 

[bitbydeath]

argh, I hate what Sony America did the japanese games, do it only if they relocate the headquarters back to Japan

 

[IllegalLemon]

there is info and a clip circulating online; supposedly, MS and Tencent were interested but Kodokawa wanted a with Sony...Our friends at Xbox Era were having wet dreams of MS bidding for company and leaving Sony in ridicule when MS offered money Sony couldn't afford.... like always.

it seems this acquisition could bring some positives for anime production

Sony has history with Kadokawa's FromSoft with Demon's Souls & Bloodborne, which makes them the most suitable candidate to make a move on Kadokawa given the latter's vast library of Anime, which Sony's deeply interested in. I doubt Microsoft could make a move on Kadokawa given their gargantuan move with ABK, which already puts them in the sights of regulators.

The JFTC erected new rules on trade laws, which prevents or makes it insanely difficult for non Japanese companies to buy large stakes in Japanese ones or even buying them outright. It's far easier for Sony to make a move given the fact they're Japanese, than for someone like Microsoft (an American company). It's Sony's move now, and they shouldn't miss out on it, leaks are overwhelmingly pointing to the fact that it's going to happen.

Spoiler

If Microsoft made a move on Kadokawa, they might've done it at some point prior to going for ABK

 

[Sanepar]

Buying kadokawa makes all the sense in the world for sony and would be one of the best value buys that they could possibly make. I mean just imagine launching the ps6 with a fromsoftware exclusive game. The sales opportunity is absolutely massive.

Now they just need to buy: kojima productions, square, capcom, cdpr, remedy, larian and arrowhead then game is even with MS.

 

[IllegalLemon]

You're kind of missing some important context here.

From Software is mainstream now, they weren't when Bloodborne and Dark Souls released they were just loved mainly by forums and hardcore gaming circles.

Elden Ring put them on the map of the general public.

A sequel to Bloodborne will be much larger than the original in this respect.

With that said, I think it'll still release on PC, but I do think Xbox will be cut off.

We also have to take into account that Bloodborne sold 8 million on a single platform. Imagine how much it would've sold if it released on all platforms. Regardless, selling as well as it did as an exclusive and a new ip was very impressive.

 

[DonF]

Kadokawa seems to want this even more then Sony, lmao.

What is that line of thinking? To me it's more like saying something dumb so that they are not acquired. If they actually get acquired, they super win.

You don't bundle stuff together because you really wanna sell.

 

[RedC]

This deal is happening in Japan. You don’t have any idea what the FTC is going to say about this domestically. On paper this deal is a dingleberry financially compared to the Activision Blizzard acquisition. Gaming isn’t even the core part of Kadokawa’s business.

I say this as someone who doesn’t really care if it goes through, I’m just sick of seeing people post speculative comments like this as if they’re some kind of reporter.

I'm definitely not some kind of reporter and it's very likely I don't know what the fuck I'm talking about.

 

[solidus12]

I just started Sekiro and I’m loving it. My second From game after Bloodborne.

 

[LMJ]

Christ I HATE this acquisition BS, what happened to fostering great third party solutions through unique offers like Halo armor for MS, bloodborne for PS, and Zelda for the big N?

No now we have to slap our hands together for a giant conglomerate acquiring third parties to become even bigger
maybe I'm just too old lol

 

[StreetsofBeige]

If Kadokawa is basically a game and anime maker it fits right in with Sony.

But I dont know enough about the company. Does Kadokawa have lots of other baggage Sony might not like?

 

[Madonis]

This might ostensibly be a good thing for those who primarily play games on Sony consoles and enjoy the most popular Kadokawa-related titles, including those made by From, but I'm worried that it may also cause other less important properties to vanish into thin air under the ever-consuming behemoth that is Sony. Lots of people would likely end up without a job too. Monopolies are a terrible thing.

 

[envyzeal]

If Kadokawa is basically a game and anime maker it fits right in with Sony.

But I dont know enough about the company. Does Kadokawa have lots of other baggage Sony might not like?

Kadokawa's huge and there's many other subsidiaries in common and some of them not at all, so if it happens we might expect a lot of blood.

You can check them out here:

GROUP COMPANIES | ABOUT KADOKAWA GROUP | KADOKAWA GROUP GLOBAL PORTAL SITE

An introduction to the KADOKAWA Group. You can view a message from the president and information on our group philosophy, company profile, our history, a list of group companies, and more.

group.kadokawa.co.jp

 

[fudgybrownie]

If this acquisition does happen and PlayStation ends up controlling FromSoftware i imagine they will keep those games multiplatform. I mean what would prevent miyazaki from leaving if he doesn't like being under Sony control?

 

[//DEVIL//]

What anime does this company owns ? I don’t think they are related to anything super popular like dragon ball or Naruto or anything of this sort right?

I thought they wanted them so they can own form software and make the next soul / Elden game Sony exclusive and pc later like they always do as this is a huge win for them.

Don’t know what popular anime Kadokawa owns

 

[envyzeal]

What anime does this company owns ? I don’t think they are related to anything super popular like dragon ball or Naruto or anything of this sort right?

I thought they wanted them so they can own form software and make the next soul / Elden game Sony exclusive and pc later like they always do as this is a huge win for them.

Don’t know what popular anime Kadokawa owns

Kadokawa - Companies - MyAnimeList.net

Trying to find anime produced by Kadokawa? Discover anime by Kadokawa on MyAnimeList, the largest online anime and manga database in the world!

myanimelist.net

 

[//DEVIL//]

If this acquisition does happen and PlayStation ends up controlling FromSoftware i imagine they will keep those games multiplatform. I mean what would prevent miyazaki from leaving if he doesn't like being under Sony control?

And works for who ? He is going to be independent ? He will still make games for Sony only as a new studio 100% will deal with Sony only and then maybe a port to Xbox like kojima is now .

And he won’t join MS anyway as this is career suicide in Japan.

Whatever he goes he is back to PlayStation and most likely exclusive

 

[bitbydeath]

If this acquisition does happen and PlayStation ends up controlling FromSoftware i imagine they will keep those games multiplatform. I mean what would prevent miyazaki from leaving if he doesn't like being under Sony control?

Why wouldn’t he like being under Sony?
They’re well known for giving endless amounts of freedom.

 

[AmuroChan]

If this acquisition does happen and PlayStation ends up controlling FromSoftware i imagine they will keep those games multiplatform. I mean what would prevent miyazaki from leaving if he doesn't like being under Sony control?

That's nothing Sony really can do. Employees come and go. The IPs are what's valuable in any acquisition. Mario and Zelda will live on long after Miyamoto and Aonuma retire. Same goes for Miyazaki and FromSoft. Whether Miyazaki leaves now or retires 15 years from now, someone eventually has to replace him. It could be one of the other game directors that are already at FromSoft like Masaru Yamamura or Yui Tanimura, or someone brand new that we don't know yet.

 

[Kdad]

 

[Kdad]

there is info and a clip circulating online; supposedly, MS and Tencent were interested but Kodokawa wanted a with Sony...Our friends at Xbox Era were having wet dreams of MS bidding for company and leaving Sony in ridicule when MS offered money Sony couldn't afford.... like always.

it seems this acquisition could bring some positives for anime production

Matt knows his stuff on Japanese pop culture

Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World

The untold story of how Japan became a cultural superpo…

www.goodreads.com

 

[Setsuna Mudou]

I simply do not want Sony to control anime more than they already do and I also do not want them to make FS games exlusive to PS.

I guess it sucks to be you then

 

[Kurimao]

Could you imagine a Bloodboune/Elden Ring anime?

Only if its on the level of Berserk (90s) with no CG crap and censorshit.

 

[Kurotri]

I guess it sucks to be you then

yeah haha right
the fuck..?

 

[Setsuna Mudou]

What anime does this company owns ? I don’t think they are related to anything super popular like dragon ball or Naruto or anything of this sort right?

I thought they wanted them so they can own form software and make the next soul / Elden game Sony exclusive and pc later like they always do as this is a huge win for them.

Don’t know what popular anime Kadokawa owns

A little manga/anime like Sword Art Online, not sure you ever heard of it. Plus a lot many others

 

[DeltaPolarBear]

What anime does this company owns ? I don’t think they are related to anything super popular like dragon ball or Naruto or anything of this sort right?

I thought they wanted them so they can own form software and make the next soul / Elden game Sony exclusive and pc later like they always do as this is a huge win for them.

Don’t know what popular anime Kadokawa owns

Kadokawa is the MAIN publisher in Japan. And since in the last decade the main source of new anime is light novels and not manga, Kadokawa has the biggest pool of IPs to make anime from. Obviously manga still matter, but original manga are produced slower than novels, so novels become more reliable for anime output.

 

[Setsuna Mudou]

If this acquisition does happen and PlayStation ends up controlling FromSoftware i imagine they will keep those games multiplatform. I mean what would prevent miyazaki from leaving if he doesn't like being under Sony control?

Miyazaki is already under the control of a large conglomerate called Kadokawa. Plus he's the president of From Software, the company he worked for all his life. Not exactly the same situation as Kojima where they had him stuck in a closet for months until he was finally able to be free. This will come with only benefits for him, especially given the excellent relationship he always had with Sony and the multiple game partnerships they've had.

 

[nial]

I dont even think it’s a foregone conclusion that From gets folded into SIE.

A very notable asset in the gaming business will surely be integrated to the gaming company that already owns shares of it. From Software having such a barebones integration within Kadokawa helps that a lot as well.

 

[Three]

What is that line of thinking? To me it's more like saying something dumb so that they are not acquired. If they actually get acquired, they super win.

You don't bundle stuff together because you really wanna sell.

It's probably more a ploy for "legitimately" rejecting other buyers who want parts of the business. Those not interested in the anime segment of the business.

 

[TrebleShot]

Why do people think Sony would do anything other than fund whatever the hell Miyazaki wants to do.

They dont tell Santa Monica, Naughty Dog Insomniac etc what to make they have complete creative freedom and famously so.

Most likely everyone benefits as sony will likely release on PC day 1 but yeah xbox...may be over for those guys.

 

[Badlucktroll]

Next i think will be capcom and square, a few years apart

 

[Clintizzle]

Idk about you guys but as a non-business minded person who doesn't hold shares in Sony, this might be a great acquisition for people who like Anime and People who like games?

 

[Freeman76]

Next Souls game will be a corridor arpg aimed at teens and GAF will lap it up like they did FF16. Indies are our last hope

 

[Fabieter]

Phil Spencer be like:

Sony be like:

Next From Soft game exclusive to Playstation lol

Highly doubt it. If Sony is agreeing than this won't change a thing.

 

[Radical_3d]

Microsoft with 80 billions: “look at me, I’m half the industry now!”

Everybody: meh.

Sony with 4 billions: looky, lookei, lookey… what do we have here?

Everybody:

 

[Fabieter]

Next Souls game will be a corridor arpg aimed at teens and GAF will lap it up like they did FF16. Indies are our last hope

Bro Sony is what made this genre with from Software. Are you guys for real.

 

[Arsic]

If Sony is smart they will make fromsoft games console only exclusive for them. No pc versions until 5+ years after release.

Then take their next title to work on to be Bloodborne 2 for ps6 launch.

Sell gang busters.

 

[Radical_3d]

If Sony is smart they will make fromsoft games console only exclusive for them. No pc versions until 5+ years after release.

Then take their next title to work on to be Bloodborne 2 for ps6 launch.

Sell gang busters.

Fortunately for PC folks the smart Sony is long dead.

 

[yet_another_alt]

I hope the deal happens just so I can see the negative reviews from Steam for needing a PSN account to play the next From Software game.

 

[Dundar]

They need to buy Kadokawa, then do a Ps direct webinar, announce BB remaster by Bluepoint, available now, PC and Ps5, and then announce BB2 exclusive for 2 years on Ps5.
The shitstorm would be earth-shaking

 

[//DEVIL//]

I honestly would like to see Sony competing and buying From software. Their output is not enough and lacking. This will give them 2 big games names added to their portfolio ( souls and Elden ring ) + whatever anime adaptation to games exclusive to their platform.

 

[proandrad]

I hope the deal happens just so I can see the negative reviews from Steam for needing a PSN account to play the next From Software game.

Can't receive negative steam reviews if it's a playstation exclusive.

 

[ANIMAL1975]

These preliminary terms must have already been agreed upon, which is why Sony sent them a letter of intent in the first place.

This is how you do old school victorian fucking. Letter of intent,... terms for preliminares... Brilliant!

 

[Ebrietas]

Why do people think Sony would do anything other than fund whatever the hell Miyazaki wants to do.

They dont tell Santa Monica, Naughty Dog Insomniac etc what to make they have complete creative freedom and famously so.

Most likely everyone benefits as sony will likely release on PC day 1 but yeah xbox...may be over for those guys.

They also didn't tell Miyazaki what to do on any of the three games they produced for him. He literally made whatever he wanted with demons souls, bloodborne, and deracine.

 

[Melchiah]

Next Souls game will be a corridor arpg aimed at teens and GAF will lap it up like they did FF16. Indies are our last hope

I sure wish so!

 

[RoboCain]

Consolidation is bad for the indust... oh wait, it's Sony. Another win for the good guys!

 

[envyzeal]

The cost of buying out Kadokawa entirely could discourage Sony from acquisition deal, says Japanese finance outlet - AUTOMATON WEST

Japan's Toyo Keizai reports that a total buyout of FromSoftware owner Kadokawa could be potentially challenging for Sony.

automaton-media.com

 

[PauloRoberto]

The cost of buying out Kadokawa entirely could discourage Sony from acquisition deal, says Japanese finance outlet - AUTOMATON WEST

Japan's Toyo Keizai reports that a total buyout of FromSoftware owner Kadokawa could be potentially challenging for Sony.

automaton-media.com

So basically, it's another analyst that thinks Sony is poor... (i mean, he is telling that Kadokawa values US$ 4.6 millions and Sony wouldn't have money for a full buyout!)

PS: I know, it's US$ 4.6 billions, but if the website doesn't know even how to make a conversion just to have more clicks, there's something VERY wrong! :-D