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[cormack12]

Source: https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sony-takes-1-9-stake-in-from-softwares-parent-company/

Kadokawa Corporation, the parent company of Bloodborne and Dark Souls studio From Software, has formed a “capital alliance” with Sony, it announced on Wednesday.

The Japanese media conglomerate – which also owns manga, publishing and film companies – said in its latest financial reports that it had given Sony a 1.93 percent ownership as part of the financial deal.

In its latest financial results, Kadokawa said the capital alliance would allow it to utilise Sony’s “global expansion power of animation and consumer games.”

The deal would facilitate the “creation, development, and acquisition” of new IP, in addition to allowing it to “maximize the value of the abundant IP that we already own,” it added.

“We believe that it is necessary to procure such funds in order not to miss potential investment opportunities and to solidify our ability to create IP based on our track record of creating rich and unique IP consisting of a diverse portfolio of books, movies, animations, games, and UGC platforms, both financially and financially,” it said.

While Sony’s investment in Kadowkawa doesn’t suggest any obligation to create exclusive games for PlayStation, From Software itself has a long history of partnering with Sony.

Of the 65+ plus games the studio has released since 1994, more than half have released exclusively for PlayStation platforms. In recent years it partnered with the platform holder for PS4 exclusive Bloodborne. Last year its PS3 title Demon’s Souls was remade for Sony’s current-gen system.

 

[Bernd Lauert]

I wonder if they'll go the Sony exclusive route again. Dark Souls sold like hot cakes on PC, the genre fits the platform really well.

 

[kyussman]

I don't think this means Bloodborne II is in the works.....but going forward if From do go the exclusive route again then it's going to be on PlayStation.I would imagine this makes the chances of Xbox ever having a From exclusive pretty much zero.

 

[DJTaurus]

1,9% means another one. EXCLUSIVE baby

 

[Miles708]

And still, the best franchise (OTOGI) remains an Xbox exclusive.

 

[plasmawave]

Bloodborne PS5 patch happening!

 

[Concern]

I don't think it means much but hope it at least leads to Bloodborne 2.

 

[SoloKingRobert]

1,9% means another one. EXCLUSIVE baby

It means nothing. Microsoft has stakes in Bungie

 

[RGB'D]

Did I miss something that states the IP is videogames? It could be new IP in animation/film/manga/etc.

 

[Fake]

1.9% of Bloodborne. Make dual sense now.

 

[N1tr0sOx1d3]

This...…this can ONLY be a good thing right!?!?

 

[MonarchJT]

1,9% means another one. EXCLUSIVE baby

it means basically nothing expecially when kadokawa value double sony one. It's about anime

 

[TheDreadLord]

Sony also has shares of SquareEnix and as far as I know we still get their games on MS and Nintendo consoles.

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

Sony needs to go eat Bandai Namco's lunch and get some anime games out there. Not much market competition in that area but 10s of millions in sales. Hoping for a Bloodborne sequel but like others mentioned, this probably wouldn't guarantee Bloodborne 2 unless it was already planned before.

 

[Majima Everywhere System]

They bought a similar amount of EPIC that one time.

 

[Guilty_AI]

This...…this can ONLY be a good thing right!?!?

Means anime and gacha games mostly, From Software existence was probably irrelevant in this alliance

 

[rofif]

I mean, ps5 is a great souls place now. All souls games are playable on one console and 60fps now (sadly not all 4k) except for bloodborne

 

[MonarchJT]

i think that microsoft still own minority stake of Bungie (probably those old activision 19.9%?) and we aren't getting any exclusive talking

 

[FatKingBallman]

Sony also has shares of SquareEnix and as far as I know we still get their games on MS and Nintendo consoles.

Sony sold all Square Enix shares 6 years ago

 

[MonarchJT]

Sony sold all Square Enix shares 6 years ago

yes but 1.9% of a company with a marketcap which is double your value .. has a symbolic value .. Sony doesn't sit at the decision table with 1.9%. let's try to stay serious

 

[Heisenberg007]

yes but 1.9% of a company with a marketcap which is double your value .. has a symbolic value .. Sony doesn't sit at the decision table with 1.9%. let's try to stay serious

You should edit this now.

 

[Papacheeks]

yes but 1.9% of a company with a marketcap which is double your value .. has a symbolic value .. Sony doesn't sit at the decision table with 1.9%. let's try to stay serious

Actually thats wrong, go look at the Epic Sony deal and come back to me.

 

[MonarchJT]

You should edit this now.

i did ..because i did found on wiki the kadokawa we talking about and it's called Kadokawa Corporation but he also says that it is a smaller subsidiary of the larger kadokawa company.

Kadokawa Corporation - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

ps. i think I'm correct it's market cap is over 200b

 

[Heisenberg007]

i did ..because i did found on wiki the kadokawa we talking about and it's called Kadokawa Corporation but he also says that it is a smaller subsidiary of the larger kadokawa company.

Kadokawa Corporation - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

ps. i think I'm correct it's market cap is over 200b

Dude the price is JP Yen. Sony is now the second biggest company in Japan, just behind Toyota. (2 years ago, it was at #7, I think)

 

[MonarchJT]

Dude the price is JP Yen. Sony is now the second biggest company in Japan, just behind Toyota. (2 years ago, it was at #7, I think)

omg hahah so sorry you absolutely right on this

 

[Heisenberg007]

omg hahah so sorry you absolutely right on this

no prob. So you see what we're talking about earlier, acquiring a $2.2B company for Sony, a $140B company, whose PlayStation division just made $3.3B profits this year is no big issue. And this acquisition won't just give them a talented PS studio, but will also help them with anime and other stuff.

But I don't think they will do it right away because they did this partnership first for a reason. But I firmly believe the acquisition will happen sooner or later if this partnership doesn't bring the results Sony is expecting it will. This also seems like a first step into making sure FS and Kadokawa don't go away to another company.

 

[MonarchJT]

no prob. So you see what we're talking about earlier, acquiring a $2.2B company for Sony, a $140B company, whose PlayStation division just made $3.3B profits this year is no big issue. And this acquisition won't just give them a talented PS studio, but will also help them with anime and other stuff.

But I don't think they will do it right away because they did this partnership first for a reason. But I firmly believe the acquisition will happen sooner or later if this partnership doesn't bring the results Sony is expecting it will. This also seems like a first step into making sure FS and Kadokawa don't go away to another company.

but now i'm wondering if all kadokawa is worth relatively so little. From Soft alone how much can it cost ???
Sony should definitely buy kadokawa entirely just for From.Also because I think Ms or Ninty are absolutely not interested in buying fromsoft.

 

[Ar¢tos]

no prob. So you see what we're talking about earlier, acquiring a $2.2B company for Sony, a $140B company, whose PlayStation division just made $3.3B profits this year is no big issue. And this acquisition won't just give them a talented PS studio, but will also help them with anime and other stuff.

But I don't think they will do it right away because they did this partnership first for a reason. But I firmly believe the acquisition will happen sooner or later if this partnership doesn't bring the results Sony is expecting it will. This also seems like a first step into making sure FS and Kadokawa don't go away to another company.

I know Kadokawa sale to MS or other Western company is really unlikely because of Japanese laws, but how likely is it that one of Embracer tentacles grabs it?

 

[DaleinCalgary]

Did not cost 7.5 billion

 

[Kamina]

Smells like exclusive games without paying 7 billion

 

[sublimit]

Smells like exclusive games without paying 7 billion

Sony already has CyGames making console exclusives for them. And that was even before this alliance. Granblue Versus was Playstation only on consoles and the upcoming Granblue Fantasy ReLink and Project Awakening will also be Playstation console exclusives.

 

[Jigsaah]

And still, the best franchise (OTOGI) remains an Xbox exclusive.

Man I wish they would release a new one. It was an unknown game that ended up being a huge surprise.

 

[ozz ex machina]

Quite a few drooling fanboys bringing up the bethesda acquisition like this is very smart business in comparison.

Lol.

 

[Tenaciousmo]

ctrl+f : armored core

still hoping...

 

[Mr. PlayStation]

Meanwhile Xbox will get Elden Ring as a timed exclusive and Microsoft will go on to acquire From Software off of their parent company

 

[Andodalf]

Clearly this is to produce more board games like The Bloodborne one

 

[DarkestHour]

Armored Core now please!

 

[Cyber_hunter026]

Quite a few drooling fanboys bringing up the bethesda acquisition like this is very smart business in comparison.

Lol.

Only one who brought it up was you? So sounds like deep down it stir up some unnecessary salt? Lmao

 

[Kamina]

Sony already has CyGames making console exclusives for them. And that was even before this alliance. Granblue Versus was Playstation only on consoles and the upcoming Granblue Fantasy ReLink and Project Awakening will also be Playstation console exclusives.

I dont get what you are trying to say.
Yes there were exclusives, Fromsoftware’s Bloodborne and Demons Souls most prominently.
What I am saying is that this new relationship might be tied to Fromsoft only making Sony exclusives from now on.

 

[x@3f*oo_e!]

Sony makes an anime, Cyberagent might make a mobile game. That's the outcome I'm seeing

SOULS ANIME.

(I don't even like souls, but the saltyness when it's shit should be harmless fun)

 

[SplunkyMunkey]

Also helps of stopping other companies of acquisitions of this company aswell so if capcom or rockstar also joined in the alliance aswell then if will stop then getting brought out aswell

 

[sublimit]

I dont get what you are trying to say.
Yes there were exclusives, Fromsoftware’s Bloodborne and Demons Souls most prominently.
What I am saying is that this new relationship might be tied to Fromsoft only making Sony exclusives from now on.

What i'm trying to say is that Sony already had very good business relationships with those companies so this alliance will only make those ties stronger.

But no way FromSoft will only be making Sony exclusives from now on. This alliance is not about that. Some games maybe but all of their games? Definitely not. For that to happen they'll have to either acquire or merge with Kadokawa and even then (with the merging scenario) most of their games will still be multiplatform.

 

[Kamina]

What i'm trying to say is that Sony already had very good business relationships with those companies so this alliance will only make those ties stronger.

But no way FromSoft will only be making Sony exclusives from now on. This alliance is not about that. Some games maybe but all of their games? Definitely not. For that to happen they'll have to either acquire or merge with Kadokawa and even then (with the merging scenario) most of their games will be multiplatform.

Unless you were there when they discussed the terms i guess we will have to wait and see.
In my opinion it is very well possible that Sony wants From exclusively.

 

[x@3f*oo_e!]

Unless you were there when they discussed the terms i guess we will have to wait and see.
In my opinion it is very well possible that Sony wants From exclusively.

Buying shares doesn't get you exclusivity.

 

[yurinka]

What i'm trying to say is that Sony already had very good business relationships with those companies so this alliance will only make those ties stronger.

But no way FromSoft will only be making Sony exclusives from now on. This alliance is not about that. Some games yes but all of their games? Definitely not. For that to happen they'll have to either acquire or merge with Kadokawa and even then (with the merging scenario) most of their games will be multiplatform.

I dont get what you are trying to say.
Yes there were exclusives, Fromsoftware’s Bloodborne and Demons Souls most prominently.
What I am saying is that this new relationship might be tied to Fromsoft only making Sony exclusives from now on.

Kadokawa Games made a ton console exclusive games for most PlayStation consoles and handhelds.
They now own From Software, who also made many console exclusive games for most Playstaion consoles and handhelds.
Kadokawa just announced a partnership with Sony and Cygames (who in addition to mobile games made or announced 7 games and all except one are PlayStation console exclusives) to help Kadokawa games to expand globally in both games and anime.

They also announced an anime related deal with Sony (in addition to the games one) to help them expand their tons of manga and anime IPs worldwide.

So if many games made by them already are exclusive and Sony will help them with games in the future, it would make sense that in exchange Sony may ask them to make them console exclusive. Or well, at least to ask them for an exclusive From Software game per generation. Specially if Sony is also helping them to expand globally not only with games, but also with anime and on top of that bought 2% of the company.

Buying shares doesn't get you exclusivity.

It isn't only the shares, Kadokawa mentioned they want Sony to help them grow globally both in the games side and in the anime side, because Kadokawa and Cygames traditionally are too focused on the Japanese market while Sony is a top player worldwide. So wouldn't be too rare that if future games and anime will be published or marketed by Sony, they would ask for exclusivity in exchange.

And well, Kadokawa/From/Cygames already made tons of Sony exclusive games, so it wouldn't be something that would change their plans a lot. This deal and the shares won't decrease the amount of exclusive stuff, but instead will increase it. They didn't mentioned it, but it's common sense.

Sure, maybe Sony instead of asking for a full exclusive they ask for a console exclusive, or a timed console exclusive. Or they won't do it with 100% of their console games. But if Sony purchased 2% of this company and signed a deal to help their games to reach a global market make sure it won't be with multiplatform games.

 

[Kamina]

Buying shares doesn't get you exclusivity.

No, but this seems to be more than just that. They must have had some some sort of agreement.

 

[x@3f*oo_e!]

No, but this seems to be more than just that. They must have had some some sort of agreement.

https://ssl4.eir-parts.net/doc/9468/ir_material_for_fiscal_ym7/94862/00.pdf

To strengthen the Global Media Mix Strategy that primarily aims to expand KADOKAWA’s IPs worldwide, discuss cooperation with CyberAgent, Inc. and Sony Corporation for mutual exploitation of each other’s business, expertise, and other strengths.

They already sell Souls etc worldwide, - restricting it to one platform does not "expand KADOKAWA’s IPs worldwide" - it's the literal oposite of that.

 

[Kamina]

https://ssl4.eir-parts.net/doc/9468/ir_material_for_fiscal_ym7/94862/00.pdf

They already sell Souls etc worldwide, - restricting it to one platform does not "expand KADOKAWA’s IPs worldwide" - it's the literal oposite of that.

Last i checked Sony distributes its consoles world wide, and Kadokawa doesnt only focus on videogames,
But whatever, it doesnt matter. We will see eventually if someonething was agreed upon behind closed doors.
All I am saing is that i doubt Sony would just randomly buy some shares if they didnt expect some significant benefit. The little money they make from it cant be the reason.

 

[hroerekr]

Based on Demon's Souls' remake abismal sales, I don't think going full exclusive with the IP is a good idea.

 

[Ar¢tos]

Based on Demon's Souls' remake abismal sales, I don't think going full exclusive with the IP is a good idea.

Abysmal? What are the numbers?
It's a Sony IP, FromSoftware has nothing to do with the remake.