PlayStation Acquires Savage Game Studios, Focusing on Mobile Games

Look forward to seeing all your favorite dormand IPs getting turned into F2P Mobile Games lol.

I mean if they made high quality, innovative mobile games based off Playstation IP, this could be great… but that probably won’t happen.

Who cares about mobile what about PlayStation wtf Sony 🤣.

While not my favorite way to play, I got no hate for mobile games. For example, I spent hours playing Grindstone, fantastic game. Don't know what to expect from this but worst case scenario it will mean nothing to me

Hopefully this attempt with mobile will go better than their last attempt.

I remember being somewhat hopeful that Nintendo would inject some quality into the predatory wasteland that is mobile games. They didn't. I expect this will be the same. Mobile is a lost cause

Again Sony Square Enix is right there just....just gonna point that out..... again
-__-

There are so many cool games on mobiles without any in-app purchases... But I still doubt that we'll see decent adaptations of beloved Sony titles T_T

@Kanji-Tatsumi Yeah Mario Kart Mobile is...really cash grappy. Dragalia Lost from Nintendo was a great example for a fair and fun Gacha Game but it gets shut down soon lol and wasnt even playable in Europe

I guess if it makes them money to keep producing top end AAA console games that is a good thing.

………great. Yeah, that’s uhh, great.

Gaming is getting weird. I'm thankful for emulation and older games.

What is weird here is that Sony already seems to have a large presence in the mobile market, and I'm not talking about the Xperia division. They acquired Crunchyroll Games, but they also have Aniplex, who released Fate/Grand Order, and that's something like the 8th biggest game in mobile history by revenue. This is on top of any other developers they may own in the mobile space.

Why did they take over the mobile game company? I don't understand mobile games can replace console games

if they can make money with the mobile game so we can get more console games fine with me.

problem is we will just get more mobile games

@Dezzy70 Then they should have no problem reducing the price of their games and consoles, no?

I've not got the patience or budget for most mobile games. I hope Sony go for a Super Mario Run model but most likely it will be more Mario Kart Tour.

Makes sense with the way Gaming looks to be going in the Future and one of the big reasons MS wanted A/B was for its Mobile development (King and Candy Crush) so it makes sense for Sony to as well. Also saves on the R&D of developing handheld portable gaming devices that compete with Mobiles that 'everyone' these days has...

@IonMagi @Kanji-Tatsumi Nintendo tried the 1 time purchase for a full game approach with Super Mario Run and mobile players rejected it because it wasn't FTP so future mobile games became your typical FTP gacha game.

Naaah...!
Mobile games... 🙄

Great job Sony. 👏👏👏 Leaving the big publishers to be scooped up by Phil who just last week stated they're "not done with acquisitions".

So, other than 'Aloy Run' with abundance of MTX's what games are we going to get on PlayStation in the near future?

Mobile is the biggest gaming market in the world, mobile games bring in more money than console games. And the best part is mobile games are 10 times cheaper to make than console games.

So I can definitely see why Sony are interested, it worked for nintendo and even Microsoft say the Activision purchase was mainly because of mobile.

If sony get this right then they will be raking in the money, which will then help towards along more playstation games.

Mobile gaming puke

@AstraeaV I feel like we are entering a horrible time for gaming. Filled with always online "Games as a service" that will be vaporware in a few years.

@Grumblevolcano Consumers are stupid, remember we chose to go to flat panels even though LED and LCD were strictly worse than HD-CRT tvs

Microsoft buys tons of AAA studios like Bethesda. Sony responds by buying a mobile centric studio. I love Sony but lately I'm questioning all of their recent moves.

@UltimateOtaku91 if stuff is cheaper to create for mobile and then also gives a bigger return, they will do that. Console games are a huge expense and the profits they make will be hitting the execs pockets, not further reinvestment.

What has this studio put out so far?

I tried it once but mobile gaming on a phone is just not at all appealing to me. I would much rather have an actual dedicated handheld gaming console. You know, like that thing called the Vita.

I don't understand how PlayStation fans truly think diversifying into mobile and PC is a good thing for the console. The alleged claim is the money generated there will be pumped into more single player AAA console games but there's absolutely no evidence of that and I can't think of ANY other game company that has successfully used this as a strategy.

All we know for certain is that Sony aims to release 12 live service games by 2025, no mention of any AAA single player games (other than the ones we know, SM2 + Wolverine).

There's already a price hike of £70 for first party games on console and we've yet to see how that's contributed in any way to the improvement of future releases. I'm more willing to believe the price hike is actually contributing more to the mobile and PC divisions and it's the console gamers who are being bled dry with nothing to show for it.

Disgusting.

Ewwwww.

Sony need to announce they're acquiring Square-Enix already. That rumor popped up so many times, there is no way there isn't some truth to it.

Cant wait for Horizon Forbidden East on iOS and Android

@truerbluer This is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

people complain when they dont buy. people complain when they do. mobile or not.

by having mobile games it can potentially show its games to millions more people. of which a potential % may get a ps5 etc. not to mention revenue.

so few really understand business as this last week has shown. the company is already working on a ps type game, so buying and bringing in house makes sense, and hopefully gives itAAA standards.

@truerbluer Here’s a quote from Hermen Hulst over at the blog:

“As we assured you before with our plans to bring select titles to PC, our efforts beyond console in no way diminish our commitment to the PlayStation community, nor our passion to keep making amazing single-player, narrative-driven experiences.”

Time will tell if the single-player output decreases or not, but it certainly doesn’t look like it’s in the plans according to Mr. Hulst.

Given that the scale of income from mobile development completely dwarfs the console market, trying to ignore the buisness like an unwelcome cousin at a wedding is simply not a viable position from any company seeking growth. Its no suprise at all that all three console format holders are all pushing for a bit of that market. People who believe these businesses should exist just to service their own needs and wants need to grow up.

Its at least comforting to those of us who dont consume mobile games and continue to want great console outout, that the buisnesses are being managed seperately, so there's no indication that a foray into mobile development will slow development of their console buisness. I would however worry about this if they start to make really big money on mobile, as you would clearly prioritise investment where you get the most returns, but we're not in that position yet, so I doubt this affects us just yet.

Honestly, I've never heard of this studio until Sony acquired them.

All Sony need to do to get me interested is integrate their mobile games with their trophy system. Not sure why they haven’t.

If Sony were to take their latest Xperia phone, weld a controller to it, and call it the Vita 2 then people would be crying out in celebration, but because they're targeting hardware people already own, the same people are in uproar.

Kinda weird, no?

I have no interest and zero confidence in future of mobile gaming. Really hoped they would use resources to expand into something that might benefit me as a user. Oh well.. at least kids around the world will get some familiar skins to throw money at on their phone.

Still love that people think that when Sony make more money from live service and mobile games, that that money will then go towards traditional games, instead of, you know, more live service and mobile games, that makes more money.

I get the idea, as there's a ton of money in mobile gaming, but I could care less. Give me something I care about, Sony...

PlayStation putting theyre games on pc and now mobile games.and instead of buying ember labs or even square enix.because sony been getting bad press.and mobile games studio is what they aquire.😴🤔😏😱.come on dog.word up son

I could see something like Parappa the Rapper working quite well on mobile.

From a console gamer's perspective this sounds annoying but @Titntin said it all perfectly. It's just laughable to think these 3 gaming giants with all their experience in game making, would just sit and watch the other not so much experienced devs rake in all the millions in mobile gaming.

Sony I know this is a lot to ask, but can you please start making ps5 games? Nah let's start focusing on mobile a handful of ps5 games is plenty, it's only been like OVER TWO YEARS

@get2sammyb
But for me, mobile gaming is really bad and unacceptable. It was like completely wrong way to play video games. I never like the idea of mobile gaming. Handphone is not supposed to play video games. Game consoles and handhelds are the real deal. Even my handphone has no games at all.

Seriously how are other ps5 owners not more pissed at the pathetic amount of games that have been released. No wonder they went backward compatible, imagine they didn't 😂

Well FTC u can block this purchase

I'm not a fan of mobile gaming but I hope they don't try making their own Pokemon Go clone. They all fail. Nothing can beat that so they need to create something unique of their own.

I wouldn't say no if they wanted to make a new Uncharted handheld. Treat the phone the same as the Vita. Add PSN accounts for trophy support. Wouldn't mind seeing a Horizon city-building type of game too. Most importantly the game can't be very heavy on mtx

@get2sammyb People will be more accepting of the branching out if it becomes clear the current platform isn't being harmed as a result, Mario Kart is a perfect example here.

When Mario Kart Tour was first announced in February 2018, Switch had gotten a port of Mario Kart 8 as its Mario Kart game the previous year and there was no sign of more content incoming. As time went on from launch in 2019, Mario Kart Tour got lots of stuff meanwhile Mario Kart 8 Deluxe got nothing but in February 2022 the Booster Course Pass was announced (DLC for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe). Now loads of Switch owners consider Mario Kart Tour as a source of more tracks for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe rather than the reason Mario Kart 9 doesn't exist.

Playstation at the moment regarding branching out is around 2019 in the Mario Kart cycle.

@Blaze215 I'm more annoyed they raised prices last week now they are buying rubbish like this

I've got a Vita and a Switch for gaming on the go. Mobile is just about money. I guess it makes sense, since Sony's been all about money for some time now. Sigh.

@gollumb82

All companies are “just about the money”, sorry to break it to you. If each company wasn’t actively seeking to maximise profits they would have to answer to their shareholders.

Even MS, although they have been willing to lose money for many years, are doing so with longer term profits in mind (I.e. build a subscription base through taking heavy initial loses).

We are still in the part of the cycle where MS are willing and able to take huge loses. This makes Sony look bad in comparison for not being able to take those same loses, but obviously Sony cannot do that to the same degree. Getting into a money fight with a company that can buy you approaching 1000 times over is not a smart route. Not going to cry about that.

Nintendo meanwhile have a low spec machine which they are making money on, especially as it is old technology now.

Something I guess people will cry more about.

@thefourfoldroot1
It may be old tech, but the games deliver. I'm referring to Nintendo, of course. The Switch is fantastic with the options it offers and for that price. As for the money-making aspect, you're right. I guess I'm just bitter. Gaming's become too big for its own good and now the likes of Amazon and Tencent want in on it, while the likes of Sony are just looking for more profits for the shareholders so those Powerpoint slides and Excel spreadsheets show nice figures for the already rich investors. It's not like Sony isn't raking in lots of money already. No worries, I'm good with the gaming options I've got. Still, I'm not a fan of the direction gaming is heading in.

Someone on here predicted an acquisition announcement the other day to distract from the price increase press haha, I’m too lazy to find it.

@gollumb82
I know, we have a Switch and it’s great. Much cheaper to manufacture though, which is why I brought it up in relation to price. Still, Ninty may decide to increase the price as well eventually. They are also not MS.

I’m also not a fan of the direction gaming is going, with all this f2p, GaaS, MTX crap. But when one does it the others have to so that they can stay competitive unfortunately.

Ultimately, competition is the best thing for the consumer, so anything Sony and Ninty have to do to stay profitable while battling the financial colossus of MS will have to be fine with me.

Woo.

(additional words so I can post this)

@Martsmall I dont blame you, raising prices is just another terrible news story about Sony and it's hard to keep track of them all. All the moves that are being made point to expensive hardware, free to play live services and mobile games with a tiny drip feed of single player experiences. An absolute joke since sony accrued it's fanbase by having fantastic single player exclusives but they are now just chasing the money

@thefourfoldroot1
Fair enough. I guess Sony would be foolish not to take the candy from a baby, err... I mean money from mobile gamers 😅

@get2sammyb 😨😨😨 You don’t hate this????

So has this studio actually made any games? Just tried Googling them and their site doesn't list any?

This generation gets more baffling by the week

Now we know where the money from the price increase is going..,,

@Grumblevolcano it’s not such a peaceful coexistence…..most people saw it as taking away from MK console experience and gre frustrated with the attention it got and that the series was largely ignored. New skins, carts, challenges and nothing for MK for years.

@Anti-Matter I think the same.

Of course, mobile gaming is "too big" to ignore, but so far, the mobile gaming market hasn't hooked me yet. I far prefer the "usual" way to play, with a console or a dedicated handheld (Vita, Switch).

@get2sammyb Of course, it would be interesting to see what Sony can do in the mobile gaming market!

@rockodoodle That's what I said, things only changed with the existence of the Booster Course Pass (now it's more of a coexistence). Before that was announced, Switch owners suffered a Mario Kart drought while Tour got lots of content.

@rachetmarvel
That more business than I know
Only Sony will know the cost and selling price break points etc.
The console in the UK is always in very high demand, so if people stopped buying it then maybe the price will come down, but people won’t stop buying it. Simple supply and demand there.

@Blaze215 Jesus grow up. Be patient. At least Sony has true next Gen experience. Unlike Xbox. Which hasn't produced a single true next Gen only experience since the damn launch of the Xbox series x. All there games have launched on both current and next Gen. Meanwhile we've gotten true next Gen experiences in ratchet and clank and demons souls and deathloop and ghostwire Tokyo and destruction all stars and bloodhunt and operation tango and Astros playroom and plenty plenty more.

I’m not against the acquisition, per se, but I question the gain. A company started in 2020 with about 10 employees that was working on a mobile co-op shooter in January 2021, but hasn’t released a single game as of yet.

@SerJosh97 operation tango 😂😂😂

Sony finding every possible way to be disappointing lately

@UltimateOtaku91 100%. I have two co-workers here in Japan. One is Chinese and one is Japanese and both of their teenage kids spend almost all of their disposable income on mobile games. I asked my Chinese colleague how much he estimated that his daughter spent in the last 2 years on MTX and he said around ¥60,000. I was aghast, I’ve spent around ¥35,000 and I have 40 platinums lifetime so I play a lot and buy mostly PS5 disks.

I said Sony would announce an acquisiton to try and bury the price increase story.i didnt know they would do it with a mobile dev 😄

Like this probably makes alot of sense to Sony as a business, but to their core - from the outide - it looks like another questionable decision from a timing perspective

@Blaze215 who is making all of these next gen games btw? Sure isn’t Xbox, Rockstar? Not PCDR, how about Ubisoft, ummm Square? I dunno, not EA. On PC? What are are they playing differently? Seems like a lot of hot air to be calling them out.
This is the norm across the board in 2022.

Everyone is in the 60fps / 4K mid grade loop. The majority of the next gen player base seems at peace with the tilting toward next gen. I’ve had an epic year personally in the titles and experiences I’ve had, too bad it wasn’t your year.

But I fail to see how lack of titles relates to this article. With all the money Microsoft has, they’ve taken a pretty long toilet break thus far too. Investing into mobile isn’t going to make the PS5 games in development now slow down.

I hope sony mobile and gaas games are some bangers, because we all know every game not as successful as destiny/forknife/apex/etc., tends to be written off and forgotten. And we dont need 10+ gaas to be wasting our time, bandwidth, etc.

He really announced this crap on the blog.🤣. This is where we are at with PlayStation now.😟🤮. PlayStation 9th gen "For the shareholders".🤑🙄

@get2sammyb I love my some mobile games more than the average person. I love the gameplay loop in Candy Crush, Bubble Witch and all those puzzle games, but I detest the monetization models. Limited lives, spamming for powerups that will let you go through, etc etc.

And lets face it: Sony wants to get into this area because of the money, and that means adopting those same schemes.

Nothing to be upset about. If sony want to make mobile games on the side, they bought a studio to make them, their not diverting current resources to it...would you prefer they made naughty dog or insomniac to waste their time on them?

I’m calling it.

Twisted metal F2P on the way.

Hopefully this is a huge failure for them.

First Sony increased the PS5 price (not without brutal backlash); then, instead of giving information about new investments in the system (new games) they announce the aquisition of a studio for crap mobile games? This is really annoying; its not the Sony that I remmember and support. This is absolutely disappointing.

Huzzah.

I hope they support it as well as Vita!

I bet they get 'Savaged' online for doing this Sounds cool & hopefully one of these things they are trying to do(including the Live service games) will make them the big Bucks so hopefully that will = more AAA Console Exclusives in the future (forget about all that PS to PC ports cr@p tho)

@Dman10 I've been questioning their moves ever since Shawn Layden was ousted.

Really seem to be going downhill and against all the good stuff they managed in the PS4 era (bar a few gaffs - Evolution and Studio Liverpool)

@SplooshDmg I think the Xperia Play was a brilliant idea - just very poorly supported.

A normal phone with a slide out d-pad and the usual PS buttons - it sank without trace against the PSP which was a truly portable portable and so much better at the job.

JImbo strikes again!!!! All hail the king of doe, Rainmaker Ryan.

Did they find some money down the back of the settee for this lol

@rachetmarvel be funny if they said to sony due to inflation we want more money obviously wouldn't happen but would be funny lol

Tencent beat Sony's sales by more than 20% with a few mobile games. Regardless of the comments here, the stats prove that a lot of people are playing mobile games. Sony's prediction is correct. But don't neglect the console.

Are they trying to convince me to sell my ps5?

@Gyousel That because most wanted bigger screens that take up less floor space in their houses, LED and LCD and Plasma were able to deliver that, at a affordable price. HD CRT weren't. Consumer weren't interested in paying more for a better picture quality.