PlayStation Wants to ‘Leverage’ Classic IPs

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Summary

  • PlayStation boss Hermen Hulst reveals that the company is looking for ways to “leverage” its classic IPs.
  • Many well-known PlayStation franchises like Killzone, Infamous, Resistance, etc. have been dormant for years, giving rise to fan demand for modern revivals.
  • However, Hulst could also be referring to these classic IPs possibly being adapted to film and TV via PlayStation Productions, rather than receiving new game entries.

As a seasoned gamer who has witnessed the evolution of PlayStation since its inception, this news fills me with both anticipation and a tinge of nostalgia. I remember countless hours spent immersed in the worlds of Killzone, Infamous, Resistance, and many other dormant franchises that PlayStation boss Hermen Hulst has hinted at reviving. While it’s not clear if these revisits will take the form of new games or cinematic adaptations, I can’t help but feel a spark of excitement at the prospect of returning to some of my favorite virtual worlds.

A recent comment from PlayStation’s head, Hermen Hulst, might signal good news for fans hoping to see the company revive some classic franchises. With a vast library of cherished game brands in its possession, it appears that PlayStation is seeking chances to capitalize on these treasured properties in the future.

Throughout its 30-year journey, PlayStation has consistently poured resources into fresh intellectual properties. Few PlayStation series from the brand’s early years have continued uninterrupted, with “Gran Turismo”, “Ratchet and Clank”, and “God of War” standing out as notable exceptions. This continuous evolution has led to some well-known PlayStation franchises being put on hold for extended periods, such as “Twisted Metal”, “Killzone”, “Infamous”, “SOCOM”, “Resistance”, and many others. Despite their past successes and multiple installments, a significant number of PlayStation enthusiasts yearn to see these dormant series return in the contemporary gaming era.

It’s worth noting that during a recent interview with Famitsu, PlayStation co-CEO Hermen Hulst indicated that the company is aware of the enthusiasm for reviving old IPs, particularly following the success of Astro Bot’s PlayStation-themed appearances. When questioned about whether this popularity might encourage them to use dormant IP, Hulst emphasized that PlayStation’s vast collection of IPs is a valuable resource for the company. He further explained that as part of their strategy to strengthen their portfolio, they are actively seeking ways to capitalize on their legacy IP in addition to developing new franchises by continually exploring opportunities to do so.

PlayStation Co-CEO Confirms Exploration of Opportunities to “Leverage” Classic IPs

Coming from the CEO of PlayStation’s Studio Business Group, this update is quite significant. There are several classic PlayStation franchises that could benefit from a revival, especially in an age of nostalgia and brand recognition. For instance, Helldivers 2’s recent Killzone crossover content sparked a lot of interest among fans, particularly those who have been longing for any official acknowledgment of Guerrilla’s gritty first-person shooter series since it went dormant over a decade ago. Sony might employ similar strategies for other legacy PlayStation IPs and monitor the surrounding discourse to gauge whether it’d be financially viable to revive them on a larger scale.

For PlayStation, our vast collection of intellectual properties (IP) is a significant resource. To bolster this asset, we’re always seeking ways to capitalize on our established IPs and create fresh franchises.

In another perspective, it’s important to understand that Hulst’s comments don’t solely relate to video games. As co-CEO, he also manages PlayStation Productions, which transforms the brand’s intellectual properties into films and TV series. Consequently, using “leveraging” classic IPs might as well refer to upcoming projects from PlayStation Productions rather than immediate game reboots. For instance, a movie based on Gravity Rush is being produced at PlayStation Productions, but there’s no indication that a new installment in the series is under development. We’ll have to wait and see what PlayStation decides to do with their legacy IPs, but let’s keep our fingers crossed for a revival in the gaming world.

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2024-12-28 19:07