Sony and Tencent are buying 30% of Elden Ring studio FromSoftware VGC Open main menu Lengthy FIFA players MultiVersus characters Disney Dreamlight recipe list First for Video Game News Follow VGC Sony and Tencent are buying 30% of Elden Ring studio FromSoftwareFromSoftware says the investment may help it publish games globally Video Game News 31st Aug 2022 / 9:12 am Posted by Chris ScullionElden Ring studio FromSoftware has announced that it’s selling shares to Sony and Tencent which will result in them owning a combined 30% of the company. In an official notice published by FromSoftware’s parent company Kadokawa Corporation, it was announced that new shares will be issued to Sixjoy Hong Kong (a subsidiary of Tencent) and Sony Interactive Entertainment. According to the document, once the shares have been issues Sixjoy will own 16.25% of FromSoftware and Sony will own 14.09%, with Kadokawa continuing to own the remaining 69.66%. In the notice, Kadokawa explains that it “recognises the enhancement of capabilities for the creation, development and deployment of game IP as one of the Group’s highest priorities”. As such, it decided to allow FromSoftware to arrange a ‘third-party allotment’ to Sixjoy and Sony, in order to gain extra funding that may help it publish its own games globally.Subscribe to VGC on YouTube “Through the implementation of the fund procurement, FromSoftware will aim to proactively invest in development of more powerful game IP for itself to strengthen FromSoftware’s development capabilities and will seek to establish a framework that allows the expansion of the scope of its own publishing in the significantly growing global market,” the notice states. FromSoftware usually publishes its own games in Japan, but in other regions they’re handled by other publishers. Sekiro was published by Activision, for example, while Elden Ring and the Dark Souls games are handled by Bandai Namco. Last week Bandai Namco Europe COO Arnaud Muller said the company had been working hard behind the scenes to secure IP and partnerships with developers in an attempt to protect itself from the impact of industry consolidation. “What I find is that we have to secure the IPs that we create with the studios we partner with,” Muller told GamesIndustry.biz. “When we invest in IP creation, when we invest in marketing for these IPs, we also have to keep in mind that we have to get some sort of security towards the future of the studio that develops this IP, if the IP doesn’t belong to us. Further reading Elden Ring publisher ‘ working to secure IP and partnerships amid M& A spreeBandai Namco says industry consolidation is cutting smaller publishers off from best studios “So, this is something that we work on. You know, this spread of acquisition that we’re seeing is affecting some of the smaller publishers in their capacity to access the best studios in the world. But we at Bandai Namco have the financial means to secure these partnerships. “We work on a number of measures to secure those partnerships — you’re talking first option rights, you’re talking IP ownership, you’re talking minority stakes in those studios. So there are ways to secure the relationships.” 17 Comments Related VGC Reviews Review Elden Ring is From Software’ s most vital game since Demon s Souls Related VGC Content Sony’ s investment in FromSoftware could lead to movies or TV shows says Hulst6 days ago The chairman of FromSoftware’ s parent company has been charged with bribery1 week ago Popular Now on VGC1 Harley Quinn voice actor criticises Chris Pratt Mario casting ‘ It should be Charles’ 2 Phil Spencer could be teasing Xbox s game streaming device in a new office photo3 Interview How PlatinumGames is betting on Nintendo expertise to shape its future4 Modern Warfare 2 will seemingly require a phone number like Overwatch 25 Platinum thinks hiring of Nintendo veteran can take the companies relationship to the next level More Video Game News5 Quantic Dream is being acquired by NetEaseThe Heavy Rain developer will be the Chinese company's first European studio1 month ago5 Comments US PlayStation shipments were reportedly up 400% last monthPS5 supply appears to be increasing as Christmas approaches55 minutes ago Overwatch 2 servers down for some as Blizzard removes two heroes temporarilyThe game's rocky launch has caused much fan frustration1 hour ago3 September’ s PlayStation Plus Essential games have been revealedUPDATE: September’s PlayStation Plus Essential, Extra and Premium games have been confirmed1 month ago3 CommentsBy commenting on this article you agree to adhere to VGC’s community guidelines. Notice: To display comments please allow the use of Functional Cookies in Cookie Preferences.