Summary
- PlayStation boss Hermen Hulst reveals that the company is looking for ways to “leverage” its classic IPs.
- Many well-known PlayStation franchises like Killzone, Infamous, Resistance, etc. have been dormant for years, giving rise to fan demand for modern revivals.
- However, Hulst could also be referring to these classic IPs possibly being adapted to film and TV via PlayStation Productions, rather than receiving new game entries.
A recent remark from PlayStation boss Hermen Hulst may be an encouraging sign for fans who want to see the gaming giant revisit some of its legacy franchises. PlayStation has a huge repertoire of beloved game IPs under its belt, and it seems the platform holder is looking for opportunities to leverage them in the future.
PlayStation has always followed a mantra of constantly investing in new IPs throughout its 30-year history. Very few PlayStation franchises have stayed the course since the brand’s early days, with Gran Turismo, Ratchet and Clank, and God of War being the most notable examples. This perpetual churn has left many renowned PlayStation IPs dormant for years, such as Twisted Metal, Killzone, Infamous, SOCOM, Resistance, and many more. While these franchises were successful in their own right and received multiple entries, many PlayStation fans want to see them make a comeback in the modern era.
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Interestingly, a recent Famitsu interview with PlayStation co-CEO Hermen Hulst reveals that the platform holder is cognizant of the demand for reviving classic IPs. When asked about the appreciation surrounding Astro Bot‘s PlayStation-themed cameos and whether it implored the platform holder to utilize its dormant IP, Hulst remarked that PlayStation’s “extensive IP portfolio” is an “important asset” for the company. He added that as part of PlayStation’s efforts to bolster its portfolio, the platform holder will “continually explore opportunities” to leverage its legacy IP alongside the creation of brand-new franchises.
PlayStation Co-CEO Confirms Exploration of Opportunities to “Leverage” Classic IPs
Coming from the CEO of PlayStation’s Studio Business Group, this update is quite significant. There are several classic PlayStation franchises that could benefit from a revival, especially in an age of nostalgia and brand recognition. For instance, Helldivers 2‘s recent Killzone crossover content sparked a lot of interest among fans, particularly those who have been longing for any official acknowledgment of Guerrilla’s gritty first-person shooter series since it went dormant over a decade ago. Sony might employ similar strategies for other legacy PlayStation IPs and monitor the surrounding discourse to gauge whether it’d be financially viable to revive them on a larger scale.
Our extensive IP portfolio is an important asset for PlayStation, and as part of our efforts to strengthen our portfolio, we continually explore opportunities to leverage our legacy IP as well as develop new franchises.
On the other hand, it’s worth noting that Hulst’s comments don’t selectively pertain to games. The co-CEO also oversees the PlayStation Productions arm, which adapts the brand’s IPs into movies and TV shows. Therefore, “leveraging” classic IPs could just as well allude to future PlayStation Productions projects rather than outright game revivals. Case in point, a Gravity Rush film is in the works at PlayStation Productions, but nothing suggests that a new game entry in the franchise is being developed. Only time will tell what PlayStation plans to do with its legacy IPs, but one can only hope they receive a fresh lease of life in the games space.
PlayStation 5
Sony’s PlayStation 5 is part of the ninth console generation and debuted with a launch lineup that included Demon’s Souls and Astro’s Playroom. The console comes with a Blu-ray disc, although a digital-only edition is also available for a cheaper price.