Summary
FromSoftwareparent company Kadokawa has confirmed that Sony will lend a hand in funding and publishing its future game projects. Aside from FromSoftware, Kadokawa owns three other game studios, all of whose upcoming projects may be developed in close collaboration withSony.
Back in the midst of November 2024, it was reported thatSony was considering a buyout of Japanese media powerhouse Kadokawa. One of the key drivers behind the acquisition was supposedly Kadokawa’s bustling anime business, but PlayStation fans were much more interested in the game studios Sony could add to its first-party portfolio. Kadokawa ownsRPG Makerdeveloper Gotcha Gotcha Games,Danganronpadeveloper Spike Chunsoft,Tenchudeveloper Acquire, and of course,Elden RingandDark Soulsdeveloper FromSoftware.
The rumors and speculation were ultimately resolved a month later, whenSony and Kadokawa announced a joint venturewhere the PlayStation parent company would spend $318 million to expand its ownership of the media conglomerate to 10%, the largest of any shareholder. Meanwhile, Kadokawa would team up with Sony to elevate many of the former’s IPs to a global level. In its recentQ3 FY2025 earnings report, Kadokawa discussed this alliance further, most notably confirming that it will “secure funding” from Sony to “expedite creation and distribution” of new IPs across the realms of video games, movies, and TV shows.
Future FromSoftware Games May Sport PlayStation Branding Thanks to Sony and Kadokawa Publishing Deal
Kadokawa also hinted that Sony’s cash injection has helped the media company ramp up both the quality and quantity of its game development pipeline, including “major titles.” Speaking of which, Kadokawa is excited about FromSoftware’s upcomingElden Ring Nightreign. WhileElden Ring Nightreignwill be published by Bandai Namco, it’s entirely possible now that thenext major FromSoftware gamewill be funded (to some degree) and published by Sony. The ramifications of this arrangement and whether it entails PlayStation console exclusivity are unknown at the moment. Games likeStellar BladeandRise of the Roninwere developed under somewhat similar circumstances and ended up launching as timed PS5 exclusives.
On the contrary,FromSoftware games are highly popular on PC, so one can only hope Sony is cognizant of this demand and doesn’t opt for full-blown PS5 exclusivity on day one. Beyond FromSoftware, it should be interesting to find out what Kadokawa’s other game studios have been cooking up. Gotcha Gotcha Games is set to launchAction Game Makeron PC in June 2025, whereas Acquire and Spike Chunsoft have some unannounced games in the works.
