Sony Looking Into Korean Developers for Partnerships

Sony Interactive Entertainment is reportedly looking for PlayStation exclusives and third-party partnerships in South Korea. The company is eager to expand its gaming business around the globe and has already struck deals with Chinese and Korean developers, alongside looking for talent in India. Sony is reportedly in talks to invest in developers such as Pearl Abyss, NCSoft, Com2uS, and Neowiz Games, according to a local news site, MTN Korea.

What This Means for Korean Developers?

South Korean game companies have been trying to expand from their domestic success to the global market for many years now. Sony’s renewed focus on mobile and partnerships with aligned interests could continue to pay off for the firm and seems like a savvy play. This news comes as Microsoft regrets overlooking Genshin Impact and is now keen to follow Sony’s footsteps around the globe, with eyes on Chinese and Korean developers.

Pearl Abyss

MTN Korea reports that Sony, through its PlayStation division, is looking to partner with local game developers and publishers, primarily Pearl Abyss. Sony is interested in securing exclusive content for the upcoming game Crimson Desert by Pearl Abyss. Crimson Desert was first announced at G-Star 2019 alongside Shadow Arena, PLAN 8, and DokeV. While Shadow Arena is now defunct, PLAN 8 is still missing in action, and DokeV is an open-world creature collecting game that resurfaced at Gamescom 2021 with a stunning trailer but has subsequently disappeared once again from radars.

miHoYo

Sony has made no secret of its desire to secure content around the globe, hitting the jackpot with Chinese developer miHoYo, netting popular games Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail. Microsoft has reportedly expressed its regret for overlooking Genshin Impact and is now keen to follow Sony’s footsteps around the globe, with eyes on Chinese and Korean developers.

Krafton

Korean game companies have been trying to expand from their domestic success to the global market for many years now. Krafton’s publishing of The Callisto Protocol and the upcoming Lies of P from Neowiz are recent examples of this effort. Steve Papoutsis, who works for Krafton-owned Striking Distance Studios, stated in an interview that Korea is set to have huge success around the world, given that Korea is already one of the biggest video game markets globally, with many experienced game developers.

Sony’s renewed focus on mobile and partnerships with aligned interests could continue to pay off for the company. While the Microsoft Activision deal didn’t happen, it’s highly likely that Sony would have already been courting Korean game companies. But this piece of news suggests that they may be accelerating work on a Korea Hero Project in the hopes that future Lies of P projects will fall under Sony’s umbrella. It would be great news if Sony funded Korean games to be brought to a global stage, and this may be the start of a new era in gaming, with South Korean developers gaining more recognition and success around the world.

What is Sony Interactive Entertainment looking for in South Korea?

Sony Interactive Entertainment is reportedly looking for PlayStation exclusives and third-party partnerships in South Korea.

Which developers is Sony reportedly in talks with in South Korea?

Sony is reportedly in talks to invest in developers such as Pearl Abyss, NCSoft, Com2uS, and Neowiz Games, according to local news site MTN Korea.

What is Sony’s renewed focus on mobile and partnerships with aligned interests?

Sony’s renewed focus on mobile and partnerships with aligned interests could continue to pay off for the company, as they seek to expand their gaming business around the globe.

What is the Korea Hero Project?

The Korea Hero Project is a project that Sony may be accelerating work on in the hopes that future Lies of P projects will fall under their umbrella as they aim to fund Korean games to be brought to a global stage.

Why is this news significant for South Korean developers?

This news may be the start of a new era in gaming, with South Korean developers gaining more recognition and success around the world, as Sony seeks to secure content around the globe and expand its gaming business.