My worst fears of a PlayStation-exclusive future for FromSoftware have been averted for now: Sony is forming a 'strategic alliance' with parent company Kadokawa, but hasn't bought it outright

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Sony is now Kadokawa's largest shareholder at 10%.

Nightreign knight holds his fist in menacing fashion
(Image credit: FromSoftware)

Sony has increased its stake in FromSoftware parent company Kadokawa to 10%, becoming the largest shareholder in the business, while the two corporations have entered into a "strategic capital and business alliance" according to a joint press release. It had been rumored for several weeks that Sony was in talks to fully acquire Kadokawa and thus its subsidiary, FromSoft, as well as a vast library of manga and anime properties.

According to the press release, Sony spent 50 billion yen ($317 million) to increase its stake in Kadokawa from 2% to 10%—back of the napkin math thus has the company's overall value at just under $4 billion. The two companies say they "plan to discuss specific initiatives for collaboration, such as initiatives to adapt Kadokawa's IP into live action films and TV dramas globally, co-produce anime works, expand global distribution of Kadokawa's anime works through the Sony group, further expand publishing of Kadokawa's games, and develop human resources to promote and expand virtual production."

It's unclear how the deal might change the publishing of FromSoft's games moving forward⁠—the studio's go-to partner has been Bandai Namco⁠—but under this framework, PlayStation exclusivity of FromSoft's future games, timed or otherwise, doesn't seem likely to me. This increased stake may position Sony for a full acquisition down the line, but hey: Tomorrow's problems for tomorrow's me.

Maybe by the time that happens, Sony will have reached the point where it's fully simu-launching its games on PC⁠—not a far-fetched proposition, given the continued growth of PC gaming and relative stagnation of consoles.

Ted Litchfield
Associate Editor

Ted has been thinking about PC games and bothering anyone who would listen with his thoughts on them ever since he booted up his sister's copy of Neverwinter Nights on the family computer. He is obsessed with all things CRPG and CRPG-adjacent, but has also covered esports, modding, and rare game collecting. When he's not playing or writing about games, you can find Ted lifting weights on his back porch. You can follow Ted on Bluesky.