• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

Kadokawa confirms Sony sent an acquisition letter

Kings Field

Member
Not like this please
aldo.gif
 
Last edited:
I don't know why is people concerned with Miyazaki "losing his freedom" lol
Sony let him do his artsy game Déraciné, he even went on to say a few years ago that Bloodborne was his favorite game to make because he did what we wanted to do.

Edit: Here's the article
But if I were to say which one stayed in my heart the most, it’s Bloodborne. It’s the one that marked me the most. I believe I did it my way, the way I wanted.
 
Last edited:

Mibu no ookami

Demoted Member® Pro™
Massive PC fanboy moist critical who cheered on the ABK deal is hilariously upset about this potential deal.

He put out a ridiculous video about Sony hating Bloodborne (because he has no idea of context) and pretends as though FromSoftware doesn't have a long standing relationship with Sony.

For almost a decade they made pretty much only PlayStation games and Sony has directly published 3 of their games.

Miyazaki and Shuhei Yoshida are friends.

It's funny that they feel sony is threatening their space so they've turned Sony into this uber villain in their minds. Sony has historically had the Midas touch when it comes to quality studios.

Is Sony perfect, no. No company is perfect just like no person is perfect, but we probably wouldn't have a Souls genre in the first place if it wasn't for Sony. Sony owns two of their IP already.

Does this suck for people on Xbox who love From? Sure, but that's kind of the nature of the industry. No one is crying over Starfield not going to PS5. If you like From games, you're going to have plenty of opportunity to play their games whether it be on PS5 or PC.
 

James Sawyer Ford

Gold Member
Sony would have to actively fuck over Miyazaki Konami-style for him to even consider leaving From Software.
Add another one to the copium list alongside "They will be under Sony Music, for sure!!" and "Sony will push DEI and ruin the studio, anyway!!".

Hermen Hulst will force From to make a Horizon based Hero Shooter GaaS title for modern audiences!!!!!!
 
Last edited:

ap_puff

Member
Massive PC fanboy moist critical who cheered on the ABK deal is hilariously upset about this potential deal.

He put out a ridiculous video about Sony hating Bloodborne (because he has no idea of context) and pretends as though FromSoftware doesn't have a long standing relationship with Sony.

For almost a decade they made pretty much only PlayStation games and Sony has directly published 3 of their games.

Miyazaki and Shuhei Yoshida are friends.

It's funny that they feel sony is threatening their space so they've turned Sony into this uber villain in their minds. Sony has historically had the Midas touch when it comes to quality studios.

Is Sony perfect, no. No company is perfect just like no person is perfect, but we probably wouldn't have a Souls genre in the first place if it wasn't for Sony. Sony owns two of their IP already.

Does this suck for people on Xbox who love From? Sure, but that's kind of the nature of the industry. No one is crying over Starfield not going to PS5. If you like From games, you're going to have plenty of opportunity to play their games whether it be on PS5 or PC.
This is a direct result of Sony's lack of engagement with the customer base imo
 

DeepEnigma

Gold Member
I don't know why is people concerned with Miyazaki "losing his freedom" lol
Sony let him do his artsy game Déraciné, he even went on to say a few years ago that Bloodborne was his favorite game to make because he did what we wanted to do.

Edit: Here's the article
And that’s why it’s the very best Souls game.
 

bender

What time is it?
And that’s why it’s the very best Souls game.

Having replayed them all recently, I agree. DeSo (Tower of Latria and kicking off the formula) and Dark Souls (masterful level design) are wonderful too but Bloodborne is the most consistent experience. All three are on another tier from the rest of the Souls games.
 

Mibu no ookami

Demoted Member® Pro™
This is a direct result of Sony's lack of engagement with the customer base imo

Do I think Sony could be better at engagement? Sure. Do I think the type and level of engagement Microsoft goes for is healthy and natural? No.

I think something that goes overlooked is that Sony does listen and it's clear that they listen. That doesn't mean they'll actively engage with the community or that it will give the community everything it wants, especially if that community isn't representative of the larger gaming public.

Like the online discourse surrounding Horizon isn't reflecting in the success the franchise has, which tells you that the community consists of a higher percentage of incels than the real gaming community.

Sony was going to shut down the PS3 store, something they have all the metrics on regarding utility, but they didn't after feedback. It probably costs them more to maintain that than its worth, but they kept it for a vocal minority.

People want PS3 emulation, but the PS3 was their worst performing home console, most of their games are remastered, and they know how much people use emulation for PS1-2 games and how much people play PS4 games.
 

DeepEnigma

Gold Member
Having replayed them all recently, I agree. DeSo (Tower of Latria and kicking off the formula) and Dark Souls (masterful level design) are wonderful too but Bloodborne is the most consistent experience. All three are on another tier from the rest of the Souls games.
Could not agree more. Sony would be nuts to not have a remake ready or a sequel. Now that the Souls games are mainstream thanks to Elden Ring, that would probably have a Bloodborne game do crazy well in contrast to the original 10 years ago.

I have a theory that Sony has one, and they’re timing a release window since Elden Ring is still fresh. Or at least hopes and dreams 😂
 

Fafalada

Fafracer forever

I don't understand why all these videos label 4k 60/120 whatever and every single time the performance is all over the place (and decidedly not 4k or 60 in this case).
I mean I get it - BB and bad framepacing are synonymous and all, so unlocked framerate is sort of cool...
But BB at 1440p with uneven framerate and now without motion blur is well - BB that's still aliased to hell and still with poor frame-pacing. Maybe on AMD 12900X3D we'll finally get 60?

Seriously though, if that remaster we're never getting ends up like this - I'd rather not have it at all.
 

bender

What time is it?
Could not agree more. Sony would be nuts to not have a remake ready or a sequel. Now that the Souls games are mainstream thanks to Elden Ring, that would probably have a Bloodborne game do crazy well in contrast to the original 10 years ago.

I have a theory that Sony has one, and they’re timing a release window since Elden Ring is still fresh. Or at least hopes and dreams 😂

Souls was already super popular when Bloodborne announced thanks to Dark. I think we'll get one but I don't really want a Bloodborne remaster at least not if it isn't handled by FromSoftware. For as good as they are, Blue Point really missed the mark tonally with the DeSo Remaster.
 

Mibu no ookami

Demoted Member® Pro™
Nintendo and Miyamoto are perfect.

Nintendo has milked Pokemon with the lowest technological upgrades. Arceus was a massive embarrassment. That there hasn't been a Pokemon MMORPG is borderline criminal and the closest they've gotten was from a mobile game developer with Pokemon Go.

Nintendo's online shop and subscription service is garbage and massively anti-consumer, but no one cares.

They've underutilized Metroid for years, particularly Metroid Prime... barely any complaints, while milking every other franchise they have.

They don't put ANY of their games on PC and conspired with Microsoft to leave Goldeneye off of PlayStation. Again, no one bats an eye.


People wanted a mature zelda game for YEARS and they trolled everyone with wind waker and twilight princess and then did it again with Skyward Sword.

They remade Pokemon with Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee and then prevented you from using the pro controller and you couldn't battle pokemon before capturing them...

Nintendo avoids hate because people don't seem them as a threat. They don't encroach on PC nor are they eating Microsoft's lunch.
 

bender

What time is it?
Nintendo has milked Pokemon with the lowest technological upgrades. Arceus was a massive embarrassment. That there hasn't been a Pokemon MMORPG is borderline criminal and the closest they've gotten was from a mobile game developer with Pokemon Go.

Nintendo's online shop and subscription service is garbage and massively anti-consumer, but no one cares.

They've underutilized Metroid for years, particularly Metroid Prime... barely any complaints, while milking every other franchise they have.

They don't put ANY of their games on PC and conspired with Microsoft to leave Goldeneye off of PlayStation. Again, no one bats an eye.


People wanted a mature zelda game for YEARS and they trolled everyone with wind waker and twilight princess and then did it again with Skyward Sword.

They remade Pokemon with Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee and then prevented you from using the pro controller and you couldn't battle pokemon before capturing them...

Nintendo avoids hate because people don't seem them as a threat. They don't encroach on PC nor are they eating Microsoft's lunch.

200w.gif
 

ap_puff

Member
Do I think Sony could be better at engagement? Sure. Do I think the type and level of engagement Microsoft goes for is healthy and natural? No.

I think something that goes overlooked is that Sony does listen and it's clear that they listen. That doesn't mean they'll actively engage with the community or that it will give the community everything it wants, especially if that community isn't representative of the larger gaming public.

Like the online discourse surrounding Horizon isn't reflecting in the success the franchise has, which tells you that the community consists of a higher percentage of incels than the real gaming community.

Sony was going to shut down the PS3 store, something they have all the metrics on regarding utility, but they didn't after feedback. It probably costs them more to maintain that than its worth, but they kept it for a vocal minority.

People want PS3 emulation, but the PS3 was their worst performing home console, most of their games are remastered, and they know how much people use emulation for PS1-2 games and how much people play PS4 games.
I don't mean in comparison with Xbox, as I don't think Xbox's "engagement" style is healthy at all. But they tend to just not communicate even when there are big unanswered questions in the gaming community (will the ps5 slim plates work with the pro, etc). They need a marketing department that's more responsive to media requests for comment. Not saying they should jump on every controversy brewing on twitter, but they don't talk nearly enough. As a customer I expect to know more.
 
Great for Sony, but I don’t personally love it and don’t think it helps the industry. Just means we’ll no longer get From games on Nintendo or Xbox platforms and no more simultaneous ports on PC.

I’d be happier if Sony bought some long neglected or mismanaged IP and tried to breathe some new life into it.
 

Mibu no ookami

Demoted Member® Pro™
I don't mean in comparison with Xbox, as I don't think Xbox's "engagement" style is healthy at all. But they tend to just not communicate even when there are big unanswered questions in the gaming community (will the ps5 slim plates work with the pro, etc). They need a marketing department that's more responsive to media requests for comment. Not saying they should jump on every controversy brewing on twitter, but they don't talk nearly enough. As a customer I expect to know more.

Perfect example.

I think they made a calculus that makes sense on paper but doesn't go well on social media.

Over 75% of PS5 owners have the OG PS5 or OG PS5 Digital. No one expected these plates to work on the PS5 Slim line. The amount of people who bought the PS5 Slim in the last year who are going to upgrade to the PS5 Pro is pretty small too. So they decided to avoid the PR social media uproar and just not talk about it and not have it be a distracting talking point ahead of the PS5 Pro launch.

I think that's why they shutdown Concord so fast. They didn't want it to distract from Astro Bot and eventually the PS5 Pro.

You also have an antagonistic media, who is openly anti-Sony... see IGN and Digital Foundry. There is a reason why Sony chose to select CNET to reveal the PS5 Pro and not DF. So much of the media is Pro-Xbox or Pro-PC, so I get why Sony doesn't have a closer relationship with it.

I think what they need to do is go back to doing an annual PlayStation Experience even if virtually, similar to Apple and have updates ready for that, even if the update is just in the form of roadmaps.

Another example; the PSVR2 hasn't performed well and it's about to get a big sale for black Friday. We've already seen leaked images from Sony that suggest that they might be planning a wireless PSVR2. They could easily be looking to liquidate existing stock, but they aren't going to be transparent about that.
 

IDKFA

I am Become Bilbo Baggins
Great for Sony, but I don’t personally love it and don’t think it helps the industry. Just means we’ll no longer get From games on Nintendo or Xbox platforms and no more simultaneous ports on PC.

I’d be happier if Sony bought some long neglected or mismanaged IP and tried to breathe some new life into it.

I'm with you on that one.

I'm still waiting for Dark Souls 2 and 3 on the Switch, not to mention having my hopes up for Elden Ring being a Switch 2 launch title.
 

Crayon

Member
Not so sure they'd pull From games off of xbox. It's a few million extra sales and not like there's much to gain unless they are trying to put extra nails in the coffin. Would be sad, anyhow.
 
Last edited:

Mibu no ookami

Demoted Member® Pro™
Great for Sony, but I don’t personally love it and don’t think it helps the industry. Just means we’ll no longer get From games on Nintendo or Xbox platforms and no more simultaneous ports on PC.

I’d be happier if Sony bought some long neglected or mismanaged IP and tried to breathe some new life into it.

They've never released developed a single game on Switch and it's been almost a decade since they released [anything they've made themselves] on a Nintendo system. In 30 years, they've made 7 games for Nintendo.

I think people (especially on PC have a narrow view of things).

It might mean no Day 1 PC releases, which stings, but it might mean MORE games, higher quality games, higher quality ports, and faster releases... which should make you happy even if they're coming a year after PlayStation gets it.

Would you rather get a game the same day as PS5 or would you rather get 2 games in the same time period that you would have gotten the 1? And for it to be a near perfect port and for it to be a better looking and playing game?

Can you answer that honestly? And then tell me this is bad for the industry?

The only ones who I think can say this is genuinely bad is xbox consumers, but they kind of made their own bed by not buying games and instead focusing on GamePass. Xbox Series is dead man walking and it has been for years. People knew that when they bought it.
 
Last edited:

Mibu no ookami

Demoted Member® Pro™
Not so sure they'd pull From games off of xbox. It's a few million extra sales and not like there's much to gain unless they are trying to put extra nails in the coffin. Would be sad, anyhow.

There are only two instances in which Sony has allowed their own games to be actively developed for Xbox.

1. MLB forced their hand with MLB The Show
2. They agreed when buying Bungie that they'd allow them to operate independently if they met financial goals

Neither of those situations really applies here.
 

James Sawyer Ford

Gold Member
This is actually a so-called 'Letter of Intent', which means discussions are likely much further along. Kadokawa is basically acknowledging it because there's no harm either way in doing so at this point. It would appear they're at the stage where a non-binding agreement has been reached and Sony has sent the Letter of Intent -- meaning they just have to finalise that they're happy with the valuation before actually buying the company.
 

Mibu no ookami

Demoted Member® Pro™
This is actually a so-called 'Letter of Intent', which means discussions are likely much further along. Kadokawa is basically acknowledging it because there's no harm either way in doing so at this point. It would appear they're at the stage where a non-binding agreement has been reached and Sony has sent the Letter of Intent -- meaning they just have to finalise that they're happy with the valuation before actually buying the company.

Assuming Kadokawa accepted the letter of intent, Sony would be in the process of doing due diligence and then would tender an offer, that Kadokawa's board would vote on whether to present to their shareholders.

The shareholders would then vote on whether they accept the deal. If the majority of shareholders approve the deal will go through and be subject to regulatory approval. With regulatory approval, the deal will close. Once the deal closes, Sony will begin to restructure Kadokawa or leave them operating as a wholly owned subsidiary.

If the rumors are true that Kadokawa sought out Sony to avoid foreign takeover, then I expect this process will move quickly. I do expect foreign investors will vote against it though as would Namco Bandai presumably.
 

bitbydeath

Member
Not so sure they'd pull From games off of xbox. It's a few million extra sales and not like there's much to gain unless they are trying to put extra nails in the coffin. Would be sad, anyhow.
After how Microsoft treated them?
Dragged Sony’s name through court, try force judges to share all their business secrets, whilst acknowledging they want to spend Sony out of business.

Let’s see how chummy they still are.
Trying Not To Laugh GIF
 
Last edited:
Nintendo has milked Pokemon with the lowest technological upgrades. Arceus was a massive embarrassment. That there hasn't been a Pokemon MMORPG is borderline criminal and the closest they've gotten was from a mobile game developer with Pokemon Go.

Nintendo's online shop and subscription service is garbage and massively anti-consumer, but no one cares.

They've underutilized Metroid for years, particularly Metroid Prime... barely any complaints, while milking every other franchise they have.

They don't put ANY of their games on PC and conspired with Microsoft to leave Goldeneye off of PlayStation. Again, no one bats an eye.


People wanted a mature zelda game for YEARS and they trolled everyone with wind waker and twilight princess and then did it again with Skyward Sword.

They remade Pokemon with Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee and then prevented you from using the pro controller and you couldn't battle pokemon before capturing them...

Nintendo avoids hate because people don't seem them as a threat. They don't encroach on PC nor are they eating Microsoft's lunch.

Forget about all that. Nintendo is willingly selling controllers that don't last longer than a year. That's already peak anti-consumer, we don't even need to get into their other embarrassments like online play.

And Miyamoto's brain got fried during the Wii era. Since then, many of his most prominent decisions were laughable. Cancel Twilight Princess 2 in favor of a Zelda railshooter, remove the RPG from Mario RPGs, force waggle on a hardcore sidescroller like Donkey Kong Country, produce Starfox Zero, etc.
 
Last edited:

Crayon

Member
There are only two instances in which Sony has allowed their own games to be actively developed for Xbox.

1. MLB forced their hand with MLB The Show
2. They agreed when buying Bungie that they'd allow them to operate independently if they met financial goals

Neither of those situations really applies here.

Hmmm. Maybe MLB can make them put elden 2 on xbox then.
 

Mibu no ookami

Demoted Member® Pro™
Hmmm. Maybe MLB can make them put elden 2 on xbox then.

I think people need to come to terms with the fact that there probably will never be another FromSoftware release on Xbox ever again.

Though if I were Sony, I would leverage some content for the sale of Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon.

Helldivers 2 and Elden Ring 2 in exchange for the sale of those IP that Microsoft largely is going to ignore anyways.
 

yurinka

Member
Nintendo just put out the worst Zelda game ever and Miyamoto allowed them to do that to his baby.
Miyamoto retired from developing games back in the Nintendo 64 days.

Since then his job is to count green papers and to say 'yes yes, go forward' to Nintendo employees who come to ask or tell him something.

Great for Sony, but I don’t personally love it and don’t think it helps the industry. Just means we’ll no longer get From games on Nintendo or Xbox platforms and no more simultaneous ports on PC.

I’d be happier if Sony bought some long neglected or mismanaged IP and tried to breathe some new life into it.
Pretty likely, in the same way that Mojang, Bethesda, Activision Blizzard continued being multiplatform I'd say Kadokawa's games will continue being multiplatform after the acquisition. With -as happened in the last 30 years dozens of times- making some exclusive game for Sony from time to time.

In past games like Bloodborne or Deracine Sony allowed FromSoft to do whatever they wanted, as they usually do with all their teams. Nothing leads to think it would change.
 
Last edited:

Mibu no ookami

Demoted Member® Pro™
Miyamoto retired from developing games back in the Nintendo 64 days.

Since then his job is to count green papers and to say 'yes yes, go forward' to Nintendo employees who come to ask or tell him something.


Pretty likely, in the same way that Mojang, Bethesda, Activision Blizzard continued being multiplatform I'd say Kadokawa's games will continue being multiplatform after the acquisition. With -as happened in the last 30 years dozens of times- making some exclusive game for Sony from time to time.

In past games like Bloodborne or Deracine Sony allowed FromSoft to do whatever they wanted, as they usually do with all their teams. Nothing leads to think it would change.

Where are the multiplatform Insomniac games? Why isn't Spider-Man on Xbox?
 

kiphalfton

Member
The reason I posted was because I was quoting your post that reads like this:

Really not that hard to understand.

Clearly it's difficult for you to understand.

- Excitement is an emotion.
- Emotions translate into feelings.
- Basing something off your feelings or opinions is being subjective.

What does that tell you about not being/getting excited... Well, it should tell you it's the absence of excitement.

On the other side, basing it off previous experience, evidence, etc. is looking at it objectively. Thus the "after seeing the shit show that has been the past 5-10 years" remark I made.
 

xenosys

Member
Massive PC fanboy moist critical who cheered on the ABK deal is hilariously upset about this potential deal.

No idea why anyone takes the opinion of that guy seriously. He's made a living off of being one of the most dull individuals in the influencer industry.
 
Top Bottom