At the foremost recognizable attribute for PlayStation, it’s the IPs that are available through its unique library. For years, the platform has thrived on its lineup of exclusive releases and experiences that make it worth buying a console. However, the firm is taking a new approach to its planned lineup moving forward. In one report, it was shared roughly 10 percent of R&D investment will be utilized toward live-service endeavors.
Thus far, this has proven to be manifesting with new projects underway. With the prior acquisition of Bungie, former president & CEO Jim Ryan coined the deal to be the ‘first stepping stone’ for the pursuit moving forward. We’re already seeing this materialize with titles including Marathon alongside Fairgame$ & Condor too.
In a new development from the most recent corporate Sony financial results, plans for releases in the pre-existing realm of PlayStation IPs are on ice for the coming year. It won’t be until the following fiscal year will recurring franchises see a new installment. Instead, new properties are to be the focus for PlayStation – hence the emphasis on these upcoming live-service projects.
“Regarding first-party software, we aim to continue to focus on producing high-quality works and developing live service games, but, while major projects are currently under development, we do not plan to release any new major existing franchise titles next fiscal year like God of War Ragnarök and Marvelʼs Spider-Man,” Sony chief financial officer Hiroki Totoki says.
“Although the burden of acquisition-related costs will ease next fiscal year, we expect profit from first-party software to decrease slightly from this fiscal year due to the impact of the decrease in sales. […] We expect third-party software sales to continue to expand gradually due to the expansion of the PS5 installed base and the high level of user engagement.”
He continues: “Regarding the PS5 hardware, which will enter its fifth year since launch, partially due to its entering the latter half of the console cycle, we aim to optimize sales with a greater emphasis on the balance with profits, so we anticipate a gradual decline in unit sales from next fiscal year onwards. […] Based on this, operating income for next fiscal year is currently expected to increase slightly from this fiscal year.”
Despite no new Spider-Man, God of War, or Horizon game out for 2024, Sony Interactive Entertainment is already thriving with its newest release – on PC that is. From SteamDB, the newest Helldivers 2 has illustrated to be a massive hit being the first PlayStation PC release on Steam to exceed 100,000 players. You can read the full report by heading here.
What are your thoughts on the release schedule for PlayStation this year?
Source: Sony
