Sony has acquired a 2.5% stake in Elden Ring writer Bandai Namco.
Sony mentioned the 16 million-share acquisition types a part of a broader “strategic partnership” with Bandai Namco and “will deal with increasing the fan group for IP resembling anime and manga world wide and strengthening engagement.”
Sony mentioned it has “traditionally collaborated on varied tasks within the fields resembling video games, anime, and music” with Bandai Namco, and plans to increase this collaboration “to a broader vary of areas.”
Whereas not explicitly addressed within the announcement, gaming types a considerable a part of each firms, and it is laborious to think about a world the place FromSoftware’s gargantuan Elden Ring — which Namco Bandai publishes — is not expanded additional. In spite of everything, Sony is already the biggest shareholder in FromSoft’s mum or dad firm, Kadokawa, and an Elden Ring film is already in growth.
“The 2 firms intend to implement initiatives together with the growth of works in addition to services and products primarily based on IP developed by Bandai Namco, leveraging Sony’s strengths in areas such because the manufacturing and distribution of anime and different video content material, in addition to merchandising,” Sony mentioned in a press launch.
“Via this partnership, we purpose to co-create an array of content material and experiences that exceed expectations and ship Kando (emotion) to much more followers, alongside Bandai Namco Group, with its excellent capability for multidirectional growth of various IP and deep connections with followers at actual touchpoints, each domestically and internationally,” mentioned Sony’s chief technique officer, Toshimoto Mitomo.
Whereas we’re speaking about Elden Ring: In case it wasn’t clear, sure, Elden Ring film director Alex Garland cares about FromSoft’s sport as a lot as you do. He is presently on his seventh playthrough of the epic fantasy RPG, and just lately revealed the boss he discovered the hardest to take down.
“It is Malenia who’s the powerful one”, Garland informed IGN final month. “I am now on my seventh playthrough of that sport. I’ve leveled up, I’ve acquired numerous juice, and a cool sword, and stuff like that, and I simply throw myself at them once more, and once more, and once more, and once more.”
Vikki Blake is a reporter for IGN, in addition to a critic, columnist, and marketing consultant with 15+ years expertise working with a number of the world’s largest gaming websites and publications. She’s additionally a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually Excessive Chaos. Discover her at BlueSky.