PlayStation-Maker Sony Faces Deep-Pocketed Rivals in War Over Gaming’s Future as Microsoft Acquires Activision

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PlayStation-Maker Sony Faces Deep-Pocketed Rivals in War Over Gaming’s Future as

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Acquires Activision

Sony, perched atop the gaming sector, is facing a fresh challenge from cash-rich rivals ******** on a next-generation online video game ***** as the ********* conglomerate eyes expansion on multiple fronts, including electric cars.

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, a laggard in the generational console battle with Sony, took a major step to position itself for the “metaverse” – a proposed immersive experience where people game, shop and socialise online – with a $69 billion (roughly Rs. 5,13,560 crore) deal for Call of Duty developer Activision Blizzard.

Sony’s shares slumped 13 percent on Wednesday amid concern Activision titles would be pulled from PlayStation systems.

“They’re basically trying to build a monster,” said Serkan Toto, founder of the Kantan Games consultancy in Tokyo. “I don’t think

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is spending $70 billion (roughly Rs. 5,21,000 crore) to become a software provider for Sony platforms.”

The full frontal approach contrasts with Sony, which has made incremental deals and gained praise for building a network of in-house gaming studios that have produced hits such as Spider-Man and **** of War. Analysts say it – and other giants – may now feel pressure to make more deals in response.

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’s deal for Activision is made possible by its vast array of other businesses, including software and cloud services, with its market capitalization more than 14 times that of the ********* conglomerate.

Many observers see Activision as a tarnished business after allegations of ******* harassment and misconduct by managers and with its major franchises losing momentum, analysts say.

The developer is “basically a semi distressed asset,” said Mio Kato, an analyst at LightStream Research writing on the Smartkarma platform. “This backward-looking nature to

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’s strategy is what makes us sceptical about their ability to compete with PlayStation.”

Pressure to conform

The deal will likely aid

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’s aggressive expansion of its Game Pass subscription service, which raises concerns Sony will be forced to follow suit. Offering games for a flat fee can eat into sales and erode margins.

“Most analysts have been napping during these developments, cheering Sony’s stronger movies and music business to justify a higher rating,” Amir Anvarzadeh, a market strategist at Asymmetric Advisors, wrote in a note.

Tech giants including Apple and

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have also advanced into gaming in recent years, but struggled to deliver hits.

Sony, by contrast, has a pipeline of hotly awaited titles including Gran Turismo 7 and Horizon Forbidden West.

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has leaned heavily on the “Halo” series, whose latest instalment was delayed before release in December.

Advances to cloud technology are loosening ties to consoles amid expectation consumers will spend more time playing and shopping in virtual reality and attracting investment from firms like

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parent Meta.

The change has been compared to the epochal shift to electric and autonomous vehicles.

Sony, which plans to launch a next generation virtual reality headset, is also considering entering the electric car business to take advantage of its edge in areas including entertainment and chips.

On Wednesday shares in gaming firms including Square Enix and Capcom popped on speculation the Activision deal could lead to more consolidation.

Sony, a ********* industry champion at a time when many local firms are losing ground to overseas rivals across a swathe of sectors, is seen as one potential buyer.

“Sony may come under pressure to do more M&A,” Jefferies analyst Atul Goyal wrote in a note, adding that “if there are no regulatory bottlenecks, then

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may go after another target in the not too distant future.”

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