News April 28 Sony expects operating profits for its gaming business to fall 5 percent in FY2021 Following a record-breaking year (the Game & Network services reported ¥2,656bn in revenue and ¥ 342.2bn profit), Sony is bracing for weaker profits in many of its businesses including games. The company expects operating profits for PlayStation to fall 5 per cent to ¥325bn in FY2021.
News April 22 Sony to publish new exclusive AAA multiplayer game from former Destiny creators PlayStation signed a deal with Firewalk Studios, formed by Destiny veterans. The development of their first game will be led by Bungie’s former creative director.
News April 20 Sony admits decision to shut down PlayStation Store for PS3 and PS Vita was wrong Three weeks after confirming the closure of PlayStation Store for PS3, PS Vita and PSP, Sony changed its mind. The company now said that users will continue to be able to purchase digital copies of games on PS3 and PS Vita. The support for PSP, though, will terminate on July 2, as originally planned.
News April 19 Days Gone Director John Garvin: “If your game is coming out to a 70 [on Metacritic], you’re not going to be the creative director for very long” Days Gone creative director and writer John Garvin attributes the cancellation of the sequel to the mixed reviews the game received. In the meantime, over 47,000 people have signed the petition for a Days Gone sequel on Change.org.
News April 13 Epic Games raises another $1 billion, including $200 million from Sony Epic Games has completed a $1 billion round of funding, giving it a valuation of $28.7 billion. It also allowed the company to strengthen its collaboration with Sony, which invested $200 million this time.
News April 12 Report: Sony’s obsession with AAA blockbusters damages small studios and leads to high turnover Sony’s decision to focus on AAA games and to almost stop supporting smaller games and studios might be a good business move. However, this strategy has already led to staff turnover, Days Gone 2 rejection, and other internal issues.
News March 31 Indie developers on losing their PS Vita games and income after store’s closure: “It’s a real shame” Sony’s plans to close PS3, PSP, and PS Vita stores have affected not only gamers but also a lot of indie developers. They are at risk of losing games they spent years developing and their money forever.
News March 29 Sony stealthily closes old web version of PS Store, preventing people from buying PS3, Vita, and PSP games Over the weekend, Sony closed an old web version of the PlayStation Store without even informing its users. It seems that people will now have trouble trying to buy digital copies of PS3, PSP, and Vita games and DLCs.
News March 29 Report: Sony to reward its Japanese employees with bonuses equivalent to salary for 7 months Sony seems really satisfied with the launch of PlayStation 5. To celebrate the success, the company is going to reward its Japanese employees with annual bonuses reportedly equivalent to a 7-month salary.
News March 26 Sony develops Ghost of Tsushima movie led by John Wick’s director as game sells 6.5 million copies Sony is now working on a film adaption of Ghost of Tsushima, which has already sold over 6.5 million copies worldwide. The movie will be directed by Chad Stahelski.
