Sony's Strategy of Expanding Game IPs with New Movies and Series
– 2 min read
At CES, Sony announced new film projects for Horizon Zero Dawn and Helldivers 2, an anime series based on Ghost of Tsushima, and the launch of the second season of The Last of Us TV series. It became clear that the cross-media exploitation of IPs is a strategy for the future.
In the past, Sony has occasionally used CES to unveil new developments in the world of PlayStation. This time, however, fans waited in vain. But that doesn't mean gaming was absent from Sony's traditional show. On the contrary, there were numerous gaming-related announcements at the press conference—although these were more closely tied to the film business.
During their extensive segment on manga and anime, Crunchyroll and Aniplex revealed the production of a new anime series based on the game Ghost of Tsushima. Although further details are not yet available, the fact that PlayStation-original IPs are now entering the anime world underscores the cross-media approach Sony is pursuing.
Ravi Ahuja also commented on this. The newly appointed President and CEO of Sony Pictures said in his first appearance in his new role: "We are not simply adapting games into movies and TV shows. It is not that simple. We are thoughtfully expanding these beloved universes in ways that honor and thrill fans of the games and captivate new audiences. And with Sony’s renowned technology, we’re able to bring these stories to life with unparalleled quality. That's the future of entertainment: the blending of worlds anchored by innovation and storytelling."
Accordingly, the Ghost of Tsushima series was not the only piece of news. Asad Qizilbash, Head of PlayStation Productions, and Ashley Brucks, President of Screen Gems, not only announced a new movie based on Helldivers 2 during their subsequent appearance but also a movie project based on Aloy's story in Horizon Zero Dawn. This project is currently in an early phase.
The development is surprising, as there had previously been talk of a series based on the Horizon IP. It is unclear whether the film replaces or complements these plans. What is certain, however, is that this will not be the last news in the realm of games and film, as Asad Qizilbash hinted when he said: "We’re just getting started."
A little later, things became more concrete when Neil Druckmann of Naughty Dog took the stage. He mentioned the recently introduced new IP Intergalactic, which the studio is working on, but he did not provide further updates about it. However, he concluded his appearance with a teaser for the second season of The Last of Us, which announced its broadcast debut in April.
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