Sony Allegedly In Talks To Acquire FromSoftware Parent Company Kadokawa

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Sony Allegedly In Talks To Acquire FromSoftware Parent Company Kadokawa

Key Takeaways

  • Sony in talks to acquire Kadokawa, parent of FromSoftware Inc.
  • Sony seeks complete ownership of Kadokawa & FromSoftware Inc.
  • Acquisition could have implications for multi-platform game releases.

As a long-time fan and devotee of FromSoftware’s intricate and immersive game worlds, this news has me both exhilarated and apprehensive. The prospect of Sony completely owning Kadokawa and its subsidiaries, including FromSoftware, could potentially bring us more masterpieces like Elden Ring and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. However, the possibility of exclusive releases on PlayStation platforms is a bitter pill to swallow for those of us who enjoy gaming across various platforms.

Hey there, fellow gaming enthusiast! Waking up to some tantalizing rumors today: It looks like Sony might be considering a takeover of Kadokawa, the bigwig parent company of FromSoftware Inc. – you know, the geniuses behind masterpieces such as Elden Ring, Armored Core, and others that have kept us glued to our screens! Keep your fingers crossed for more news on this exciting potential collaboration.

The report originates from Reuters, based on information from two individuals knowledgeable about the matter, although specifics regarding the alleged takeover remain undisclosed. As per one source, negotiations between the parties are ongoing concerning this potential acquisition. If everything proceeds as planned, a contract could be finalized within the next few weeks.

Sony Seeks to Own Kadokawa And Its Subsidiaries Completely After Buying Shares in 2022

Sony Allegedly In Talks To Acquire FromSoftware Parent Company Kadokawa

For those unaware, Sony already owns 2% of Kadokawa, with Tencent owning 6% of the company . Not only that, but Sony has also bought a 14% stake in FromSoftware Inc. back in 2022, with Sixjoy Hong Kong Limited (a subsidiary of Tencent) also owning 16% of the studio, and Kadokawa owning the majority shares at 69.66%. This would change, of course, if Sony’s acquisition plans push through.

Kadokawa is recognized mainly by gamers as the umbrella corporation for FromSoftware. However, it’s essential to understand that Kadokawa encompasses much more than just this. Apart from being a significant player in the anime world with popular titles like Isekai Quartet and Re:Zero under its wing, Kadokawa also owns Dwango, a telecommunications company. Within Dwango lies Spike Chunsoft, the studio responsible for creating the Dangonranpa video game series.

Should the acquisition proceed, Sony – being the proprietor of Crunchyroll, the anime streaming platform – can anticipate expanding its offerings by introducing a significant amount of fresh anime series.

At the moment, Sony hasn’t spoken up about the report, while Kadokawa also remains silent, saying they can’t comment on it.

As a passionate fan, I can’t help but speculate about the recent silence from both companies. The lack of official comments suggests that something intriguing is brewing under the surface, but it doesn’t necessarily mean an acquisition is imminent. Only time will tell!

If you’re predominantly a gamer using platforms other than Sony, this acquisition might significantly affect your gaming experience. There’s a possibility that Sony may restrict future FromSoftware games from being available on any platform other than those under the PlayStation brand. Although such a move seems financially irrational, Sony has a reputation for being stingy with their game releases across multiple consoles. While Horizon LEGO Adventures, a first-party title, was released on PC, PS5, and Nintendo Switch simultaneously, it’s more of an exception than the rule. To be frank, Horizon LEGO Adventures isn’t as popular or influential as FromSoftware’s major franchises.

Today’s update on FromSoftware arrives swiftly after The Game Awards jury declared Elden Ring’s single expansion, Shadow of the Erdtree, eligible for the Game of the Year award, announced yesterday.

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2024-11-19 18:08