Stuart360
Member
Yeah that was a weird one. By TV standards, The Mandalorian looks amazing at times.
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Sony has invested another $1b in Epic Games
- Thread starter HeisenbergFX4
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thicc_girls_are_teh_best
Member
You kid but I actually think this might be how they do Day 1 on PC; it's either build their own storefront/launcher (resource-intensive, time-consuming, will require hiring a lot of talent in the field) that they can monetize with different models (ad-based free model, sub models integrating the new PS+ perks and features to the PC launcher side)...
...OR, they invest in a company with an established launcher and agree to terms to implement most of this stuff into their existing launcher/storefront. And the only two real choices there are EGS and GOG. Out of the two, EGS is the healthier option by far (as much as I like a lot of GOG's retro collection), so it makes sense to go with that. I don't think we know what the full intent behind this new round of investment is, but I wouldn't be surprised if that is part of it, even if it won't come about for a while.
And as you teased, some of those could definitely end up being EGS exclusives, or at least timed exclusives, before going to Steam. It's probably the best way for Sony to go for Day 1 on PC while covering potential revenue losses on the console side, draw in more subs for PS+ (on the PC side the costs would be lower by default since you don't need to pay for online play).
I can't picture Sony allowing a single-buy license between console and PC, but they could have it so if you bought the game on PlayStation you get a discount towards buying it at another time on PC. I think they could let those who already have a subscription via PlayStation just get the equivalent sub on PC side for free, and those who get their sub through PC pay a small fee to upgrade to the equivalent on PlayStation if they decide to pick up a console.
Biggest benefit would potentially also be for publishers; they only need to pay out a cut to one platform holder (Sony on console side, Sony/Epic on PC side) instead of two for two different versions of the game. I can even see the overall percentage cut being lowered for publishers who bring their games out to both PS and such a storefront/launcher on PC. But IIRC, EGS already has an 8% cut on 3P sales vs. the normal 30%; I guess if Sony and Epic were to do this type of storefront/launcher partnership integrating PS+ benefits and features into it on sub & ad-based models, the total combined percentage would only raise to 20%.
EDIT: Also just gonna say once again I'm not speculating this investment has anything to do with Sony using EGS as a primary storefront/launcher for PS+ integration and Day 1 on PC. Just some independent thoughts there, on how they could pursue Day 1 on that platform while making it make sense financially in the larger PS ecosystem and as minimum impact on PS console and software sales as possible. At least IMO.
With Microsoft it seems to be an all-or-nothing type of thing WRT gaming: they either own the property outright or have no ownership in it at all. Otherwise they could've just purchased shares in Zenimax and especially ABK, but they went for acquisitions of those instead.
And of course we've seen Sony make full-on purchases themselves gaming-wise, but they also have specific investments based just on buying shares in companies, i.e Kadokawa, Epic, etc. Started back with Square in the late '90s (though they've since sold those shares back).
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mckmas8808
Mckmaster uses MasterCard to buy Slave drives
Isn't "The Volume" that Disney is using for all Marvel TV shows better than this tech though? Couldn't that be default directors go to, if Sony and Epic make their stuff mandatory to work together?
Boss Mog
Member
Doubt it, Sony has a very good relationship with Valve. Half-Life Alyx is all but confirmed for PSVR2.
Bo_Hazem
Banned
Tech can be shared with a "fee" as well. Also Disney, WB, and many others also get to Sony Imageworks for VFX as well as that branch is one of the leading ones in the industry. I don't necessarily think Sony would go exclusive there, but would make it "the best" tool but offer the option for the right price, just like how their Sony Image Sensor branch work, sharing imaging sensors with nearly everyone.
Also the Volume you mention is Sony's CLED's with Unreal Engine.
You can see them there using ARRI cameras.
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LordCBH
Member
They could’ve done that without investing billions.
Bo_Hazem
Banned
SlimySnake
Flashless at the Golden Globes
They shouldve invested this into their first party studios who are taking way too long to make games. They need bigger teams. They need multiple teams. With this money they could lured away several big name directors from other companies and gave them their own teams.
Right now, Neil Druckman cant make TLOU3 because his studio is busy making other games. That should NEVER be allowed to happen. Imagine if Nolan couldnt find a crew to shoot his next movie with because they are all booked. It's insane. Neil is literally the president of the company now and has to wait his turn. Unbelievable.
Right now, Neil Druckman cant make TLOU3 because his studio is busy making other games. That should NEVER be allowed to happen. Imagine if Nolan couldnt find a crew to shoot his next movie with because they are all booked. It's insane. Neil is literally the president of the company now and has to wait his turn. Unbelievable.
El Pistolero
Banned
There is only 1 Insomniac Games, and not every move Sony takes has to be about acquiring PS studios. GET A LIFE!
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El Pistolero
Banned
It's not that, buddy. The thing has been explained countless times already...
mckmas8808
Mckmaster uses MasterCard to buy Slave drives
I "thought" it was known that the Volume was better though. Maybe I'm wrong here and Sony and Epic are the industry leaders on this.
Is Stagecraft 2.0 the same thing as this?
You sure this is correct? Hard to believe that this is true.
DeepEnigma
Gold Member
Sir, sir, now hold on, sir.
You are not seeing it from the concerned
Bo_Hazem
Banned
Yeah the Volume is using Sony's tech. Seems like they just tweaked/made their own version. If they just made shit out of their asses Sony would sue them to bankruptcy.
SlimySnake
Flashless at the Golden Globes
There was a thread here recently about how ND is currently focused on Factions, and a new IP, and TLOU3 was on the backburner.
yurinka
Member
Yes, I think pretty likely Sony invested on them only to get good returns and to keep improving their relationship with an important partner that already generates them a shit ton of money via their games (Fortnite, Rocket League...) and the games from many other external 3rd party studios not owned by Sony or Epic but that use Unreal Engine to publish games on PS. Or that use it for movies or tv shows that other companies will do for Sony's services and tv channels and who maybe partly thanks to the Sony money they can continue using UE for 'free' (small devs at least).
By investing on Epic Sony will get good returns directly from their Epic stocks, but keeping Epic healthy and strong also provides extra indirect profit to Sony via games (not only from Epic) and movies made by external teams. And well, Sony may want to use UE for some of their projects so it's helpful to keep them strong.
To invest on Epic for them is a win/win situation without needing to involve here exclusivities or acquisitions.
mckmas8808
Mckmaster uses MasterCard to buy Slave drives
Gotcha. It all makes sense now. Is any of this stuff open source? Like is the stuff that ILM added, then able to be used by other companies?
Bo_Hazem
Banned
It's like iPhone is using Sony's image sensors for example, pay the right fee and feel free to tweak it as you like.
Apple uses three new Sony camera sensors in the iPhone 13 Pro Max
All three cameras got improved, the ToF and the front-facing camera remain the same as the predecessor. Apple is reluctant to speak much on the technical...
Apple is only one customer to Sony as they're leading the industry in imaging sensors worldwide.
EDIT: More into it:
Sony's new MicroLED Displays Used in The Mandalorian...The End of Green Screen For Good?
Sony’s announcement of their new modular direct view displays (MicroLED) could change the direction of cinema forever! With the success of these displays used in the filming of the popular series, The Mandalorian, the demand to utilize this technology is set to make this a very popular method...
virtual-studio-set.com
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ethomaz
Banned
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MasterCornholio
Member
Nah I'm not making this about the console wars. That's definitely not what I'm making a reference to.
Unreal Engine has been widely known to be quite good from developers that used it. Sure it's not flawless but it's one of the few good things people got from Epic. When it comes to Fortnite there are plenty that enjoy it but I agree that it's a money sink and not necessarily something I would enjoy.
What many have complained about are the exclusive deals that Epic made with some developers. Many don't like the idea of investing into another store when they already have a lot in something like steam.
mckmas8808
Mckmaster uses MasterCard to buy Slave drives
Oh okay. That's not bad then. Them working on 2 games at once seems fine. I thought you were saying he could only develop Factions and that's it.
Daytonabot
Banned
Birds, or in this case anti-consumer companies that money hat exclusives, flock together.
John Wick
Member
Probably more to do with using Unreal for movies and TV as well as games
fart town usa
Gold Member
It will never not be weird to see Epic and think back on their early PC days.
So fascinating. They have an empire now, an absolute juggernaut within the industry.
and, they took out Dyack, lol. (Dyack took himself out but all the same, that whole legal drama was Epic).
So fascinating. They have an empire now, an absolute juggernaut within the industry.
and, they took out Dyack, lol. (Dyack took himself out but all the same, that whole legal drama was Epic).
DeepEnigma
Gold Member
GHound
Member
I told people. I says, "That Jim Ryan, he's English. Can't trust the English can ya? They invented toast sandwiches." Nobody listened to me and now they're planning to release the PS6 with a mandatory anal probe that phones home to the toast sandwich king himself to see if you've been eating your toast sandwiches and drinking your tea properly. Vote with your wallet and buy an Ouya 2.
Joking aside I get where you're coming from, but Corporate is the one running the show in this particular instance.
Kagey K
Banned
Sony and Lego trying to buy into that monopoly. 
Hendrick's
If only my penis was as big as my GamerScore!
I would not be at all surprised if Sony was looking to migrate some of their internal studios to Unreal Engine.
DonF
Member
I know, right!! Epic, interplay, iD soft and Blizz where the master of pc back in the day! I remember playing jazz jackrabbit and commander keen on my dads work laptop. A black and white ghosty as all fuck screen...Good times!It will never not be weird to see Epic and think back on their early PC days.
So fascinating. They have an empire now, an absolute juggernaut within the industry.
and, they took out Dyack, lol. (Dyack took himself out but all the same, that whole legal drama was Epic).
EverydayBeast
thinks Halo Infinite is a new graphical benchmark
Shows Sony values gaming.
bitbydeath
Gold Member
That’s just fickle PC gamers who can’t handle the competition Epic brings.
bitbydeath
Gold Member
The key players left Japan Studio before they decided to close it. It became a shell.
Ass of Can Whooping
Gold Member
I'd call it a mercy killing instead of assassination
ethomaz
Banned
When they killed Japan Studio?
If you are talking about how it was merged with others studios that is not being killed lol
oldergamer
Member
Uhh, sure it has pal.
SentientStone
Member
My universes, I mean eco-systems, are merging....
ethomaz
Banned
Is that some weird ass?My universes, I mean eco-systems, are merging....
SteadyEvo
Member
What’s EGS?
SentientStone
Member
Zeroing
Banned
Sony is not just PlayStation? You know that right?
Captain Toad
Banned
So Epic is to help make new televisions and headphones? Gotcha.
oldergamer
Member
While extremely interesting, that isn't what Lego invested in. I'm also certain not what sony invested in.
adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
Epic Games Store on PC
Zeroing
Banned
Lol what I mean it it just an investment and maybe, people are looking really hard for a sneaky plan!
The same way as Sony some years ago sold their shares of square enix… and nothing happened.
Captain Toad
Banned
I wasn't gonna listen to you, at first, but then I noticed you switched to bold text and, thus, should be taken seriously.
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