Sony Reportedly Looking to Acquire FromSoftware, Developer of Elden Ring

Sony is reportedly seeking to purchase Kadokawa, the Japanese media parent company above FromSoftware. The subsequent development studio is best known for its work on the Dark Souls series, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring.

According to a report from Reuters, two sources have indicated that Sony is looking to purchase Kadokawa to add to its entertainment portfolio. It’s being said that the two companies are in active negotiations. With ongoing discussions, sources say that the two could reach a deal within the “coming weeks”.

At the time of writing, Sony has declined to comment on the matter. Kadokawa said it cannot make a statement on any possible acquisitions either. Overnight, Kadokawa’s shares closed 23 percent at their daily limit, around $2.7 billion USD (roughly $3.7 billion CAD). This, of course, was prior to the report coming out.

Sony currently has a two percent stake in Kadokawa and a stake in FromSoftware. Over the years, Sony has had a close partnership with FromSoftware, publishing Demon’s Souls on PlayStation 3 in 2009. In 2015, PlayStation published the critically acclaimed Bloodborne on PlayStation 4. Most recently, FromSoftware has been supporting Elden Ring, a multi-platform fantasy RPG. Elden Ring was created in collaboration by game director Hidetaka Miyazaki, FromSoftware, and author George R.R. Martin.

This year, FromSoftware launched Shadow of the Erdtree, an expansion to Elden Ring. Released in June, the expansion sold five million units in its first three days. The expansion has been a critical and commercial success with Shadow of the Erdtree being nominated for ‘Game of the Year’ at The Game Awards 2024.