Recent licensing agreements between Sony and third-party developers have sparked excitement among PlayStation fans, who are now clamoring for the return of beloved but dormant franchises from Sony’s extensive catalog of intellectual properties (IPs).
Sony’s New Approach to Reviving Classic IPs
Sony Interactive Entertainment has recently partnered with Bandai Namco Entertainment to bring back several classic PlayStation franchises to modern platforms. This new strategy marks a shift in how Sony is handling its older IPs, many of which have been inactive for years.
Bandai Namco’s Role
Bandai Namco is taking the lead in developing and publishing new entries for some of Sony’s neglected franchises. So far, the partnership has resulted in:
- Patapon 1+2 Replay - A remastered collection of the rhythm-action games originally released on PSP
- Everybody’s Golf Hot Shots - A new entry in the long-running golf series
- Freedom Wars Remastered - An updated version of the PS Vita action game
What’s particularly noteworthy is that these games are not exclusive to PlayStation platforms. They’re being released on multiple systems, including the Nintendo Switch and PC, broadening their potential audience.
Fan Reactions and Wishlist
The announcement of these revivals has energized the PlayStation community. Fans are now eagerly speculating about which other dormant Sony franchises might receive similar treatment.
Some of the most requested IPs include:
- Tokyo Jungle - The quirky post-apocalyptic animal survival game
- Soul Sacrifice - The dark fantasy action RPG from the PS Vita
- Puppeteer - The unique platformer with a theatrical presentation
- The Last Guy - The quirky top-down evacuation puzzle game
There’s also significant demand for a PC port or remaster of Bloodborne, the critically acclaimed action RPG from FromSoftware. While not directly related to the Bandai Namco deal, fans see these recent developments as a sign that Sony might be more open to revisiting its back catalog.
The Significance of Sony’s IP Strategy
This new approach to licensing out older IPs represents a notable shift in Sony’s strategy. Traditionally, Sony has kept tight control over its first-party franchises, rarely allowing them to appear on competing platforms.
Potential Benefits
By partnering with third-party developers and publishers, Sony can:
- Revive franchises without dedicating internal resources
- Generate revenue from dormant IPs
- Reach new audiences on different platforms
- Gauge interest in older franchises for potential full-scale revivals
Industry Impact
If successful, this strategy could influence how other companies handle their back catalogs of games. It may lead to more cross-platform releases of previously exclusive titles and revivals of cult classics that might otherwise remain dormant.
Looking Ahead
While Sony hasn’t officially announced plans to expand this licensing strategy, the positive reception from fans suggests there’s a strong appetite for more revivals of classic PlayStation IPs.
The gaming community will be watching closely to see if Sony continues this approach with other franchises and whether it leads to full-fledged new entries in these series or remains limited to remasters and ports.
For PlayStation fans, these recent developments offer a glimmer of hope that their favorite forgotten franchises might one day return to the spotlight. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the resurrection of classic IPs could become an increasingly important way for companies to leverage their existing properties and connect with long-time fans.