Sony acquires 16 million shares in Elden Ring writer Bandai Namco

Sony has acquired a 2.5 % stake in Elden Ring writer Bandai Namco, which equals 16 million shares.

The Japanese conglomerate mentioned the acquisition kinds a part of a broader “strategic partnership” between the businesses. In keeping with the announcement, the main focus shall be on “increasing the fan group for IP similar to anime and manga world wide and strengthening engagement.” (Thanks, IGN.)

The businesses intend to “implement initiatives together with the growth of works in addition to services and products” primarily based on IP developed by Bandai Namco. This may leverage Sony’s “energy in areas such because the manufacturing and distribution of anime and different video content material, in addition to merchandising.”

Sony’s chief technique officer Toshimoto Mitomo talked about Bandai’s presence each “domestically and internationally” as related touchpoints for this growth.

Sony continues its streak of share acquisitions

In December, Sony grew to become the biggest shareholder in Elden Ring and Darkish Souls studio FromSoftware mother or father firm Kadokawa. Sony signed a strategic capital and enterprise alliance settlement that noticed it purchase 12,054,110 new shares in Kadokawa for roughly 50 billion yen ($318.5 million). As well as, Sony already owns a 14.09 % stake in FromSoftware.

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The objectives shared for that deal ring acquainted to the most recent acquisition, with each corporations saying the transfer will maximize IP worth globally and facilitate wider and deeper collaboration, together with potential joint investments within the content material subject.

Whereas the precise collaborations between Sony and Bandai stay to be seen, the need to push Elden Ring in varied methods is palpable. Bandai revealed Elden Ring Nightreign on Could 29 of this 12 months, turning the overly-popular expertise—which has shipped over 30 million models worldwide since its launch in February 2022—right into a multiplayer spinoff. The launch passed off days after A24 introduced that an Elden Ring film is in improvement, with Alex Garland appointed as director.