Sony's Anime Gambit: Snapping Up Bandai Namco Shares – But What About Elden Ring 2, Eh?
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Sony's buying a slice of Bandai Namco, but it's less about gaming domination and more about expanding its anime empire, which could mean more anime adaptations and content coming our way (but probably not an *Elden Ring* exclusive anytime soon).
Right, settle in, because this one's a bit of a head-scratcher. Eurogamer's Matt Wales reported that Sony’s just hoovered up a cheeky 2.5% stake in Bandai Namco, the publisher of a little game you might've heard of called *Elden Ring*. Now, before you start picturing a PlayStation-exclusive *Elden Ring 2* and screaming into the void, let's unpack this.
It all follows Sony's earlier power play, becoming the top dog shareholder at Kadokawa, the folks who own FromSoftware (the *Elden Ring* devs, for those playing at home). Seems like Sony's been on a bit of a buying spree, hasn't it? But is it a grand scheme to control all the games? Probably not. (Though, fair dinkum, it's fun to imagine.)
See, according to Eurogamer, the real prize here isn't gaming dominance, but anime. Specifically, bolstering its anime and manga empire. Sony wants to get its mitts on more anime adaptations, live-action films, and all that jazz. Think of it like this: they're not after *Elden Ring's* dungeons; they're after Kadokawa and Bandai Namco’s treasure trove of intellectual property.
The official word from Sony and Bandai Namco is all about a “strategic partnership” to “expand the fan community for IP such as anime and manga around the world.” Expect more anime-related goodies coming from this hookup. We're talking about Sony flexing its muscles in production, distribution, and merchandising. Blimey, they're even talking about creating "new and emotionally moving experiences for fans" – which, let's be honest, sounds like corporate-speak for squeezing every last drop of value out of their IPs.
Remember that billion-dollar purchase of Crunchyroll back in 2020? This seems to be a continuation of that strategy. Sony wants to be your one-stop shop for all things anime, across every platform. From cinemas to streams, they're casting a wide net. And, I reckon, that's where the potential for Web3 comes in, if they ever choose to explore community-driven content or tokenized experiences (pure speculation, mind you!).
So, the big question: What does this *actually* mean for us gamers? Well, probably bugger all in the short term. Don't expect PlayStation to suddenly become the exclusive home of *Elden Ring* sequels (though, you never know). But if you're an anime fan, this could be a very good thing indeed. Just try not to get lost in the marketing hype – and remember, a 2.5% stake isn't exactly owning the whole bloody shop. Cheers to Eurogamer for keeping it real.
Tags: Elden Ring, Sony, Bandai Namco, Anime, Gaming Industry
Original article: Eurogamer