Sony and Tencent now own 30% of FromSoftware through stock purchase

By Jesse Lennox Published August 31, 2022

Sony and Tencent have purchased a combined 30.34% of FromSoftware shares, with Sony now holding a 14.09% stake in the studio.

While not an outright acquisition, FromSoftware has been a studio many speculated would be ripe for acquisition by a major company. The studio has been on the rise in popularity thanks to its Souls series, with each game performing better than the last commercially. Its latest game, Elden Ring, is the top-selling game of 2022 so far and one of the top 10 bestselling premium games of all time in the U.S.

Recommended Videos

This joint purchase by Sony and Tencent will split FromSoftware’s ownership between these two entities and the parent company Kadokawa Group, which remains the largest shareholder at 69.66% ownership. However, Tencent does also have a 6.86% stake in Kadokawa as well.

This investment, which totaled 36.4 billion yen, or approximately $262 million, will be used to “proactively invest in development of more powerful game IP for itself to strengthen FromSoftware’s development capabilities and will seek to establish a framework that allows the expansion of the scope of its own publishing in the significantly growing global market.” It will also specifically create new IP for Sony, as well as utilize existing IP for new games and anime.

Sony and Tencent’s now minority stake in FromSoftware will help allow the developer to self-publish its games outside of Japan, where previously they relied on publishers such as Bandai-Namco or Activision.

While Sony’s share of the developer is still minor, it does establish their intent to further strengthen their bond with the studio. Sony notoriously passed on publishing Demon’s Souls outside of Japan but partnered with the studio again to create the PS4 exclusive Bloodborne. Based on the language used, it appears as though Sony has plans to leverage FromSoftware’s talents in more exclusive games in the future.

Topics

Jesse Lennox has been a writer at Digital Trends for over four years and has no plans of stopping. He covers all things…

Gaming

How to find and use the Prayer Room Key in Shadow of the Erdtree

Multiple players look out over a landscape with the Elden Ring co-op mod.

Calling Shadow of the Erdtree a DLC is kind of misleading when you actually enter the Land of Shadow and see just how massive this new region is. The base game was already massive, and this feels like another game about half its size was plopped into the world, with bosses, weapons, dungeons, and secrets all included. Among all the hidden areas and items, the most mysterious include the Prayer Room and the Prayer Room Key. Players may stumble upon one or the other -- most likely neither -- but almost certainly not both without some help. If you're interested in the lore of the game in particular, you will want to see what's hidden behind this very secluded door.

Note: This article contains minor spoilers for bosses and NPCs in Shadow of the Erdtree.
Where to find the Prayer Room Key

Gaming

Elden Ring’s pre-Shadow of the Erdtree patch makes its final boss much easier

An Elden Ring player sits on their horse and looks out at a castle ahead.

Publisher Bandai Namco has released the patch notes for the big pre-Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree update, and while a lot of the changes were expected, it features some small but exciting additions.

The most noteworthy change in version 1.12, buried in the "New inventory features" section, is the new ability to summon your steed Torrent in the final boss battle. Without spoiling anything, not only does the final battle come right after another equally difficult boss, but you'll need to do a lot of sprinting to avoid its attacks. Being able to use your trusty steed will make this a lot easier. And, quite frankly, you'll need all the help you can get when it comes to most boss battles.

Gaming

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is already wiping the floor with me

Elden Ring gameplay

Elden Ring was unanimously 2022’s Game of the Year. While many other fantastic games were released throughout the year, Elden Ring shut down all competition when it dropped in early March. It swept at awards shows and even landed a Game of the Year spot here on Digital Trends. It was the undisputed champ. Two years later, it’s now getting the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. If a DLC ever had a chance at winning the top prize at The Game Awards, it could be this one.

Ahead of its June 21 release, I spent three hours with a hands-on preview of Shadow of the Erdtree. While it doesn’t offer anything drastically different from the base game, it’s still more of the same Elden Ring you love. It has an excellent atmosphere, fun exploration, and difficult bosses. More of the same isn’t a bad thing when that “same” is as beloved as this.
Return to the Lands Between
For those looking to pop in right on June 21, Bandai Namco clarified that players will need to have already beaten the bosses Starscourage Radahn and Mohg, Lord of Blood in order to access the expansion. Additionally, there are over 100 new weapons, some of which are not found in the base game.