Sony is planning to expand its PC player base as it ventures into the live-service arena. In its latest corporate strategy report, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) expressed optimism that its acquisition of Bungie, the original developer of Halo and creator of Destiny, would enhance its live-service operation. The company is looking to increase the number of people playing its ever-growing catalog of PlayStation games on PC.
As part of Sony’s strategy to boost active users across all platforms, the company stated that “knowledge sharing from Bungie” would improve its “ability to develop and operate live-service games,” with the goal of increasing the number of active users on PCs. However, Sony’s larger strategy around live-service remains unconfirmed, despite reports suggesting that The Last of Us multiplayer project will be free-to-play and “very, very live-servicey.”
Sony’s Upcoming Projects
PlayStation London is currently working on an untitled fantasy online co-op game that appears to be in the live-service category, but there is little information about it yet. Haven Studios, which Sony acquired, was selected because of its experience with live-service games, but it is unclear what the studio is working on. On the other hand, Deviation Games, a studio established by former Treyarch developers, announced its collaboration with Sony in June 2021, but the company suffered layoffs, indicating a bleak future for the project.
Finally, Bungie is Sony’s most significant asset in its drive to attain live-service preeminence. Destiny 2, which is still going strong with Season of the Deep set to launch, has not shown any signs of slowing down. Furthermore, the studio has not revealed its next project, but rumors suggest that it could be a revival of the Marathon in the vein of Escape from Tarkov.
Sony’s Future Plans
Sony announced in February 2022 that it would release ten multiplayer games for the PS5 by 2026 and that its live-service offerings would span various genres and scopes. Last October, the company suggested that PlayStation live-service games could be available on PC “day and date” with the PS5, indicating that the aforementioned projects may be available to PC gamers right at launch.
In conclusion, Sony’s new strategy report indicates that the company is expanding its PC player base and increasing its live-service offerings. Knowledge sharing from Bungie is expected to improve Sony’s ability to develop and operate live-service games, with the aim of increasing the number of active users on PCs. While there is little information about Sony’s current projects, it is likely that the company’s future offerings will be available on both PS5 and PC.
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