Updated at 11:16am GMT, 12-06-2025: Kadokawa has confirmed that Sony expressed interest in purchasing the company, but a decision has yet to be made (as reported byGematsu).
Summary
Sonyis reportedly in talks to buyElden RingandDark SoulsdeveloperFromSoftware’sparent company, Kadokawa.
The report comes fromReuterswho say that Sony is looking to “add to its entertainment portfolio.”
Sony In Talks To Buy Kadokawa
Kadokawa is likely a name not overly familiar to the Western World, but it is one of the biggest media conglomerates in Japan. The company owns a 70 percent stake in FromSoftware, as well asDragon Ball: Sparking Zerodeveloper Spike Chunsoft, and dozens of anime, manga and media brands.
According to Reuters, talks are ongoing between the two sides, and the deal could be closed “in the coming weeks.”
Talks are ongoing between the two sides, and the deal could be closed ‘in the coming weeks.’
The purchase of Kadokawa would be the latest in a long line of development studio acquisitions from Sony. Over the past few years, thePlayStationcreators have purchasedBungie,Insomniac Games, Haven Studios, and the recently shuttered Firewalk studios.
However, while Sony seems keen on acquisitions, its track record hasn’t been the best. The recently-releasedConcordwas heralded as one of gaming’s biggest-ever flops,causing its developers to close, and multiple other PlayStation-owned studios have faced layoffs in recent times, includinghundreds of staff from Bungie, whichSony reportedly “overpaid” for.
Should the purchase be finalized, it will likely bring further parity between PlayStation andXboxcreatorMicrosoft, which, over the last few years, has made some major acquisitions of its own. In 2022, Microsoft confirmed thepurchase of Call of Duty owner Activision for $70 billion, and a few years prior,it purchased Fallout and Skyrim developer Bethesdafor a reported $7.5 billion.
While Elden Ring and Dark Souls may not be on the same commercial level asCall of DutyorSkyrim, it would certainly be a feather in Sony’s cap.
Both Sony and Kadokawa declined to comment when asked by Reuters.
