The video game industry has reached new heights, with major companies like Microsoft and Sony making significant investments to stay competitive. Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $69 billion is nearing its completion, and while Sony hasn’t made any large-scale acquisitions recently, they are reportedly increasing their investments in game development.
In a report by Nikkei Business, it is revealed that Sony plans to allocate approximately $2.13 billion (¥300 billion) for video game research and development in fiscal year 2024. This is more than double the amount they spent during the previous console generation, with game development now accounting for 40 percent of Sony’s overall research and development budget – the highest among all segments of the company.
In addition to increasing their budget, Sony is also changing its focus within game development. The majority of their funds will now be allocated to live service titles. By the end of fiscal year 2026, Sony aims to have at least 10 live service titles up and running, with 60 percent of their gaming research and development budget dedicated to live service by fiscal year 2025. This doesn’t mean they will invest less in traditional gaming experiences, but it shows a clear emphasis on live service going forward.
Nikkei reports that Sony will also prioritize extended reality, including virtual reality, mixed reality, and augmented reality. Many of their newly acquired PlayStation studios will be tasked with developing content for the upcoming PS VR2 and other extended reality platforms.
In a recent PlayStation Showcase, Sony offered a glimpse into their future focused on live services. This includes games like “Marathon” from Bungie, the studio behind Destiny, “Fairgame$” from Haven, a studio led by Jade Raymond, and “Concord,” an enigmatic title from UK-based Fire Studios. However, Naughty Dog’s highly anticipated The Last of Us multiplayer project seems to have been put on hold following criticism from Bungie regarding its profitability.
What are your thoughts on PlayStation’s future plans? Do you believe they are making strategic decisions, even if they may not align with your personal preferences, or do you think they are setting themselves up for failure?
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Eugen Boglaru is an AI aficionado covering the fascinating and rapidly advancing field of Artificial Intelligence. From machine learning breakthroughs to ethical considerations, Eugen provides readers with a deep dive into the world of AI, demystifying complex concepts and exploring the transformative impact of intelligent technologies.
