Web Desk
Sony Group Corp has witnessed a significant boost in sales of its game series, “The Last Of Us,” thanks to the success of the hit drama based on the franchise produced by television network HBO, according to Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan.
During an investor briefing, Ryan stated, “We could see very, very clearly that every time an episode of that show dropped, sales of the game increased very dramatically.” This success story highlights Sony’s efforts to leverage its popular franchises across different business lines following its transformation from an electronics manufacturer to an entertainment giant encompassing games, music, and movies.
Also Read: Shah Rukh Khan fulfills cancer patient’s wish, promises visit and aid
In a bid to diversify beyond consoles, Sony has also introduced “The Last Of Us” franchise, known for its depiction of characters navigating the post-apocalyptic United States, to the PC platform. Ryan revealed that the PC business has already become a significant profit contributor for the company. Sony expects PC revenue to reach $450 million in the current financial year, a substantial increase compared to $80 million two years ago.
While supply chain challenges for consoles have eased, Sony anticipates that PlayStation 5 sales will catch up with, and ultimately surpass, the sales of PlayStation 4 during the current fiscal year. Investors are eagerly awaiting further details regarding Sony’s expansion into live service and mobile games.
Although Sony has traditionally excelled in single-player games, Ryan shared that over half of the company’s investment in PlayStation, this year will be focused on live-service games, which provide ongoing and updated gameplay experiences.
Cloud technology and artificial intelligence are expected to bring innovation to the gaming industry, and Sony, as a key player, has ambitious plans in these areas. Ryan mentioned that the company has “fairly interesting and quite aggressive plans to accelerate our initiatives in the space of the cloud” that will be revealed in the coming months, without providing specific details.
