In a significant move within the gaming and entertainment sectors, Sony Corp. and Bandai Namco Entertainment have finalized a strategic agreement that will see Sony acquire a 2.5 percent stake in the well-known publisher of Elden Ring. The announcement was made on Thursday, revealing that Sony will invest around JPY 68 billion, equivalent to approximately Rs. 4,010 crore, to purchase 16 million shares from Bandai Namco.
Sony Takes a Stake in Bandai Namco
The two companies articulated in a press release that their newly established “strategic business alliance” aims to enhance their collaboration in various fields, particularly in anime and merchandising.
According to the statement, “Bandai Namco and Sony have a history of collaborating on numerous projects in the realms of gaming, anime, and music, and they now intend to broaden this partnership across additional sectors.” The statement further indicates that both companies aim to implement initiatives that will expand products and services based on Bandai Namco’s intellectual property, utilizing Sony’s expertise in the production and distribution of anime, video content, and merchandising.
Moreover, the companies plan to explore the development of anime and manga intellectual properties while also collaborating on “experiential entertainment.” Their joint efforts will extend to enhancing fan engagement, making collaborative investments, and advancing entertainment-related technologies and services.
“Our partnership aims to co-create a wide range of content and experiences that surpass expectations and deliver Kando (emotion) to fans,” remarked Sony’s Chief Strategy Officer, Toshimoto Mitomo. He highlighted the value of working with Bandai Namco Group, known for its impressive ability to expand diverse intellectual properties and maintain close connections with fans both domestically and internationally.
In the previous year, Sony made a notable investment in FromSoftware’s parent company, Kadokawa, acquiring new shares for JPY 50 billion (about $320 million or Rs. 2,722 crore), which increased its equity in Kadokawa to approximately 10 percent, establishing itself as the largest shareholder in the publishing firm.
