Sony’s response to the coronavirus has been very impressive. The company has been extremely swift in its action against the disease, even as far back as PAX East 2020, when it controversially pulled out of the show weeks after announcing an enormous showcase. It’s since insisted employees work at home, providing them with full-pay and a stipend to acquire any equipment they need. And now it’s turning its attention to its gigantic audience of fans, by handing out free software in an effort to keep people at home.
But it’s not stopping there: “Independent developers are vital to the heart and soul of the gaming community and we understand the hardships and financial struggles that many smaller gaming studios are facing,” group president Jim Ryan explained on the PlayStation Blog. “With that, SIE has developed a fund to support them during this time. We have earmarked $10 million to support our independent development partners.”
More information about the fund and how studios can participate will be announced in the coming days, but we can probably all agree that this is a very welcome move from the industry leader.
[source blog.us.playstation.com]
Comments 18
This is a very good step from Sony but I can't help but think they could help them even more by showcasing them better on the Playstation store, instead of its obsession with Fortnite
@carlos82 They have to strike the right balance between discoverability and showing people what they're most likely looking for, I guess.
This is good. I was starting to grow concerned for the Indie scene when I noticed we are only getting around 5 new Metroidvanias per week lately.
That's excellent news, well done Sony. So many incredible indie games on Playstation, great to see the developers looked after in tough times like this.
@get2sammyb But i have to agree with Carlos their indie covarage is terrible.
That being said its a good thing they are doing with this fund.
Great news. SONY Looking out for the little guys 👍
That's cool and all but WE WANT THE LAST OF US PART 2
PlayStation hates indies now I've been told.
🤷♂️
This is a wonderful goodwill gesture. The games industry (like almost every other sector of the economy) needs supporting right now. The economic damage caused by COVID-19 could well wipe out many of the smallest developers. Indies are a crucial component of modern gaming. The other platform holders really need to help this sector of the industry too.
Indies are so important, well done Sony for continuing support in these hard times.
Sony does a really good job of promoting indie game, monthly picks the majority of the time has a indie game in it. The game's recommended to you will also have indie games in it. Sony does an excellent job of showcasing all types of games that's what I like about Sony. Also Sony done amazing job of managing COVID 19 too.
Sony has been ahead of the curve with the pandemic... I think they got tipped of by their partners in China about what the situation really was before it was public knowledge
Sony just keep doing great thing.
Gonna throw any of that money at the developers left scrambling after you sprung your censorship policies on Japanese developers sony? No didn't think so ya outtie buttholes.
Very cool sony, good job 👌
@carlos82 the ps store has been in need of an overhaul for its entire existence. I don’t know who designed it but they need to be let go.
@sonicmeerkat a while back I created a profile for the Japanese servers so I could browse the Japanese store. They have stuff on there not available in the US. Been too chicken to try and buy anything however. As I don’t know how payment would work or if it would work right from a US account
@MasterEMFG tell me about it, its bloody awful. You can't even search by publishers and sometimes it doesn't even find the games you're looking for. I was looking for some Sonic games on PS3, first search brought just 2 results, the second search wouldn't even let me type Sonic and finally I had to go through the app to find Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. I can't even remember where you find the PS2 classics on the PS4, hidden away somewhere behind multiple menu's but everytime I search it shows me Fortnite first
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