Rumor has it that Sony might soon make a big move in the entertainment world by buying Japan’s famed media giant, Kadokawa Corporation. If this deal goes through, Sony would become the main stakeholder in FromSoftware, the creative minds behind popular games like Elden Ring, Bloodborne, and Dark Souls.
According to sources speaking with Reuters, there are ongoing discussions between Sony and Kadokawa. These negotiations are reportedly progressing well, and we could potentially see a deal signed “in the coming weeks” if things continue on this path.
Currently, Sony already holds around 14% stake in FromSoftware, with China’s tech titan Tencent owning slightly more than 16%. The lion’s share, nearly 70%, is still with Kadokawa. Both Sony and Kadokawa have chosen not to comment on the matter when asked by Reuters.
Acquiring Kadokawa would mean more than just getting FromSoftware on board. Kadokawa has an impressive roster of game IPs including Armored Core and Sekiro, in addition to the ones previously mentioned. On top of this, they have several other gaming interests such as Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero and Danganronpa from Spike Chunsoft, as well as Octopath Traveler co-developed by Acquire, and RPG Maker crafted by Gotcha Gotcha Games. Beyond gaming, Kadokawa’s reach extends into films, television, and publishing, especially in the realm of anime.
Considering Sony’s ownership of Crunchyroll and Funimation, acquiring Kadokawa’s extensive media assets might be as enticing as adding those challenging and rewarding games to their gaming portfolio.
On the gaming side, this news drops in a year that’s been tumultuous for Sony-owned PlayStation, plagued by layoffs and studio closures. They even decided to pull the plug on Concord, removing the game from sale just two weeks following its release.
We want to hear from you: how do you feel about Sony potentially buying Kadokawa and taking over as the primary owner of FromSoftware? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
