While the last few years were marked by massive acquisitions, particularly on the Xbox side, we now discover that Sony is planning to buy a Japanese entertainment giant, and at the same time one of the best studios in the world. The Kadokawa Corporation group, which owns the studio, reacted by formalizing certain elements.
Article updated on November 20, 2024 with statements from Kadokawa Corporation.
PlayStation about to acquire From Software?
In a Reuters article, we discover that the company is in talks to acquire the Japanese media giant Kadokawa, with the aim of expanding its entertainment portfolio. If this name doesn’t mean anything to you, it is a Japanese media conglomerate (publishing, video games, anime, etc.), which notably owns FromSoftware, the studio behind Elden Ring and the Dark Souls games. , to name just a few.
According to two sources familiar with the matter, discussions between the two parties are underway and an agreement could be signed in the coming weeks if they are successful. Meanwhile, Reuters reports that Kadokawa’s stock jumped 23%, hitting its daily high, for a market capitalization of around $2.7 billion before its article was published.
Kadokawa confirms Sony’s intention!
While the two main parties did not respond to requests from Reuters when the scoop was released, Kadokawa Corporation finally decided to speak via a press release addressed to the press.
Some articles report the acquisition of KADOKAWA Corporation (hereinafter referred to as “the company”) by Sony Group Inc. However, this information has not been announced by the company.
The company has received an initial letter of intent to acquire the company’s shares, but no decision has been made to date. If facts need to be announced in the future, we will do so in a timely and appropriate manner.
It’s official, Sony intends to buy the group, and at the same time acquire the famous FromSoftware studio. If this hypothetical acquisition may seem surprising, remember that Sony already holds a 2% stake in Kadokawa as well as an interest in FromSoftware. In 2022, Sony notably acquired a minority stake of 14.09% in the studio via its subsidiary Sony Interactive Entertainment after an investment of $120.47 million.
If the transaction is confirmed, it would certainly be a very good transaction for PlayStation which would acquire nothing more and nothing less than the studio behind Elden Ring, the game of the year 2022.
