Following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the industry could change in several ways. Further consolidation is expected, with gaming giants like PlayStation pursuing various acquisitions of different scales.
PlayStation is also hiring a Manager responsible for identifying and carrying out future acquisitions.
Why it matters: PlayStation will have fewer studios than rivals like Xbox after the Activision Blizzard merger is cleared. Therefore, the gaming giant hopes to even the odds through future acquisitions.
As seen above, the job listing states that the manager would work with Sony to:
“Identify and execute inorganic growth opportunities through acquisitions.”
This provides evidence that PlayStation is looking out for studios and publishers looking to be acquired.
Previously, Sony raised its acquisition budget to $13 billion. While all of this is not reserved for the gaming division, the new budget could allow PlayStation to carry out its biggest merger in the industry yet.
Since the job listing highlights inorganic growth opportunities, studios that have not partnered with the gaming giant in the past can be considered potential acquisition targets.
Previously, Square Enix was believed to be among the major acquisition targets. However, the publisher has recently announced a new partnership with Xbox, potentially hinting that Square Enix is not looking to be acquired.
PlayStation has acquired studios like Insomniac Games and Bungie over the last few years. These have proven highly successful, with the former leading development on various first-party titles and the latter bringing an ongoing live service title.
Since live service is a massive focus for the gaming giant moving forward, it could look toward another studio like Bungie, which would aid other first-party studios with their ongoing live service projects.
Nonetheless, PlayStation is expected to announce multiple acquisitions in the coming years.
Aside from PlayStation, companies like Tencent continue to invest in the industry. Tencent recently announced it would become the majority shareholder of Techland, the studio behind the Dying Light franchise.
Similarly, Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard is expected to be cleared after negotiations with the CMA, and PlayStation is looking to ensure it does not get left behind in the current trend of mergers in the industry.
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[Senior News Reporter]
Avinash is currently pursuing a Business degree in Australia. For more than 5 years, he has been working as a gaming journalist, utilizing his writing skills and love for gaming to report on the latest updates in the industry. Avinash loves to play action games like Devil May Cry and has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as IGN, GamesRadar, GameRant, Dualshockers, CBR, and Gamespot.
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