Key Takeaways
- FromSoftware fans are up in arms over Sony’s potential acquisition of parent company Kadokawa Group, which could see the developer become a PlayStation first-party studio.
- Fans are calling on each other to “openly and aggressively oppose”, worried that it could potentially “ruin” FromSoftware.
- Others are concerned about FromSoftware’s potential loss of creative control, while there are also fears that FromSoftware’s future games will be made PlayStation exclusives.
Earlier today, it was reported that PlayStation owner Sony is in talks with FromSoftware parent company Kadokawa Group about a potential acquisition. That would be an absolutely huge move in the gaming industry, as Kadokawa Group has multiple high-profile developers under its belt, and it would likely make FromSoftware a first-party PlayStation studio.
Talks are apparently ongoing, with a potential deal to be closed “in the coming weeks”, and if PlayStation did bring a developer as illustrious as FromSoftware under its umbrella, that would benefit the platform massively. That does seem to be the only party that the deal would benefit though, as shortly after this news was made public, FromSoftware fans have been up in arms and extremely against the whole thing.
FromSoftware Fans Really, Really Don’t Want Sony To Buy Kadokawa
A post on the Elden Ring subreddit by a user called Berem_ has gained an immense amount of support, essentially calling Sony a “thief” and to leave FromSoftware alone. In the replies to that post, you’ll find no shortage of FromSoftware fans either outraged or saddened by Sony’s potential acquisition, with one user called Zodic837 calling on fans to “openly and aggressively oppose” the deal, worried that it will “ruin” the studio.
Most of the worry boils down to Sony potentially affecting FromSoftware’s development pipeline, pointing to the company’s treatment of Bloodborne and Demon’s Souls as a reason to be worried it could potentially abandon popular franchises. Another big worry is Sony potentially making FromSoftware’s future titles exclusive to PlayStation, which was explained by a user called Luckysyd in a different Reddit thread on the FromSoftware subreddit.
In this thread, a user called DatPulover is worried that FromSoftware could lose its “creativity, quality, and freedom” if it were to be owned by Sony, and wants the studio to “remain as it is”. There are some people convinced that FromSoftware wouldn’t change all that much, even if it were to become a PlayStation first-party studio, though it’s clear there’s very little love for Sony or PlayStation among the FromSoftware faithful.
