In an exclusive report published today by Reuters, it was claimed that Sony is in talks to purchase Kadokawa, the corporation that owns the majority of FromSoftware, the developer of Elden Ring. It was claimed in the report that Sony wants to acquire the ‘media powerhouse’ and that a deal could be signed ‘in the coming weeks’.
Despite the claims being corroborated by two trusted sources close to Reuters and the deal, both Sony and Kadokawa have declined to comment.
Another Bag
Sony is reportedly looking to acquire FromSoftware’s parent corporation, Kadokawa. That claim comes hot off the press from Reuters in an exclusive report, and it comes just a few months after FromSoft released Shadow of the Erdtree, an expansion so good it’s being considered for Game of the Year at the upcoming The Game Awards showcase.
Presently, Kadokawa owns a 70% stake in FromSoftware, and Sony has around a 14% share. Rolling it up, Sony already has a 2% stake in Kadokawa Corporation, but other gaming titans, like Tencent, also own a piece of the company.
Kadokawa’s history stretches back to 1945, when the company was founded as a publisher of books and magazines, before expanding to cover video games in the 1990s. FromSoftware has been operational since 1986 when it was founded to create ‘business software’ Like Kadokawa, FromSoftware turned to video games in the 1990s.
What do you think about this potential acquisition? Do you think it’s a good idea for Sony to pick up FromSoftware? Let us know on the Insider Gaming forum.
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Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
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That’s crazy and Kadokawa is massive I don’t think anyone thought they’d sell off. Not only that this would help Crunchyroll that Sony owns also a ton too and really make Sony a monopoly on the anime market and they’d own a manga publisher too. How would this effect Bandai Namco and other? Not only does Kadokawa own From Software they own Acquire and Spike Chunsoft too so would Spike not be allowed to work with others? Also full circle now Sony would own Tenchu again after all these years the IP is at From Software not only that they’d own the original studio Acquire and the spiritual successor too with Shinobido too. This gives Sony a ton of Japanese studios should they do it. I have to wonder if others follow with acquisitions of their own should Sony do this. This also would mean more studio closures at PlayStation. Sony would own Gamera too if they did this.
Microsoft needs to buy Take Two and EA if this is happening there should be no problem them doing that.