Sony has officially acquired Insomniac Studios.

[Brave Volunteer]

Well crap! After saying nothing interesting happens at Gamescom, this gets announced LOL!

Sony has purchased the California-based game studio Insomniac Games, best known for last year’s Spider-Man on PS4. Insomniac will become an exclusive PlayStation developer, Sony says.

Founded in 1994, Insomniac remained independent for 24 years, working largely with Sony on series like Ratchet & Clank and Resistance but also with other big game companies like Microsoft, which published the colorful open-world game Sunset Overdrive (unlikely to get a sequel any time soon).

Insomniac has also worked on several VR games with Oculus, including the upcoming Stormland. Notably, those games have not been released on PlayStation VR.

Spider-Man, a PS4 exclusive, was the studio’s most successful game, selling 13.2 million copies according to a Sony press release today.

https://kotaku.com/sony-buys-spider-...mes-1837378300

Sony Interactive Entertainment To Acquire Insomniac Games, Developer Of PlayStation®4 Top-Selling Marvel's Spider-Man, Ratchet & Clank​

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Sony Interactive Entertainment
Aug 19, 2019, 15:00 ET

SAN MATEO, Calif., Aug. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Interactive Entertainment ("SIE") announced today that SIE has entered into definitive agreements to acquire Insomniac Games, Inc. ("Insomniac Games"), a leading game developer and long-time partner of SIE, in its entirety. Insomniac Games is the developer of PlayStation®4's (PS4™) top-selling Marvel's Spider-Man and the hugely popular PlayStation® Ratchet & Clank franchise. Upon completion of the acquisition, Insomniac Games will join the global development operation of Sony Interactive Entertainment Worldwide Studios ("SIE WWS"). Insomniac Games is the 14th studio to join the SIE WWS family. This addition furthers SIE's continued commitment to creative excellence and innovation in game development exclusively for the PlayStation platforms.

Based in Burbank, California, and Durham, North Carolina, Insomniac Games is the award-winning studio behind many of PlayStation's most highly-successful franchises, including Spryo the Dragon, Ratchet & Clank, and Resistance. Most recently, Insomniac Games, in partnership with SIE and Marvel Games, launched Marvel's Spider-Man, one of 2018's most highly-acclaimed PS4™ games. Marvel's Spider-Man has sold through more than 13.2 million copies worldwide as of July 28, 2019.

In addition to the studio's signature storytelling infused with humor and highly interactive worlds, Insomniac Games has been recognized for its collaborative workplace culture, having earned 20 awards since 2005.

Building on a working relationship between Insomniac Games and SIE spanning more than 20 years, this acquisition enhances the creative force within SIE WWS and formally adds a studio to the PlayStation family that continues to raise the bar on open world, story-driven games. The day-to-day operations of Insomniac Games post-closing of the acquisition are expected to be run by the current management team in conjunction with SIE WWS San Mateo Studio. Completion of the acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and certain other closing conditions. Financial terms of this transaction including the acquisition cost are not disclosed due to contractual commitments.

"Insomniac Games is one of the most highly-acclaimed development studios in the industry and their legacy of best-in class storytelling and gameplay is unparalleled," said Shawn Layden, Chairman, SIE WWS. "We have enjoyed a strong collaborative partnership with the studio for many years, and are thrilled to officially welcome them to the Worldwide Studios family. The addition of Insomniac Games to SIE WWS reiterates our commitment to developing world class gaming experiences that can only be found on the PlayStation platform."

"Joining the WWS family gives Insomniac even greater opportunities to achieve our studio vision of making positive and lasting impressions on people's lives," said Ted Price, Insomniac Games founder and CEO. "We've enjoyed a special relationship with PlayStation practically since our inception. Our partnership amplifies our potential, and Marvel's Spider-Man was a testament to this. We're excited to take the next step in our growth alongside our longtime WWS partners. Most of all, we look forward to delivering fresh, new experiences for our fans."

About Sony Interactive Entertainment
Recognized as a global leader in interactive and digital entertainment, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is responsible for the PlayStation® brand and family of products and services. PlayStation has delivered innovation to the market since the launch of the original PlayStation in Japan in 1994. The PlayStation family of products and services include PlayStation®4, PlayStation®VR, PlayStation®Vita, PlayStation®3, PlayStation™Store, PlayStation®Plus, PlayStation™Video, PlayStation™Music, PlayStation™Now, PlayStation™Vue, and acclaimed PlayStation software titles from SIE Worldwide Studios. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, SIE is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation and has global functions in California, London and Tokyo.

"PlayStation" is a registered trademark or trademark of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. "PS4" is a trademark of the same company. Blu-ray Disc is a trademark of the Blu-ray Disc Association. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

About Insomniac Games
Insomniac Games has created and developed award-winning video game franchises for more than 25 years. It is best known for developing the PlayStation®4 smash-hit, Marvel's Spider-Man (2018), and creating iconic PlayStation franchises such as Spyro the Dragon (1998), Ratchet & Clank (2002) and Resistance (2005). With studios in Burbank, CA and Durham, NC, Insomniac has earned 20 local, regional, state and national awards for its workplace culture. More information about Insomniac Games can be found at https://insomniac.games.

 

[BearCat204]

Just further indication that console exclusivity isnt going anywhere for the next gen. Consumer loses in the end

 

[Brave Volunteer]

Just further indication that console exclusivity isnt going anywhere for the next gen. Consumer loses in the end

I know the trendy opinion right now seems to be that we should end console exclusivity and all games should be available everywhere. I for one have never supported that point of view. Exclusives are what gives your platform it's identity. Plus exclusives typically are coded closer to the "metal" of the hardware and look/run better than multiplatform games due to developers only having to focus on one platform. I would never want to see God of War or Uncharted on Xbox, just like I would never want to see Halo or Gears of War on PlayStation. I'd also never want to play Zelda or Metroid on anything but a Nintendo platform.

 

[BearCat204]

I know the trendy opinion right now seems to be that we should end console exclusivity and all games should be available everywhere. I for one have never supported that point of view. Exclusives are what gives your platform it's identity. Plus exclusives typically are coded closer to the "metal" of the hardware and look/run better than multiplatform games due to developers only having to focus on one platform. I would never want to see God of War or Uncharted on Xbox, just like I would never want to see Halo or Gears of War on PlayStation. I'd also never want to play Zelda or Metroid on anything but a Nintendo platform.

Rather be "trendy" than flat out anti consumer.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

Rather be "trendy" than flat out anti consumer.

It's business. I compare it to sports franchises. Some talent is cultivated through the draft, farm systems, etc. Other talent is acquired via free agency. I have absolutely no issue with platform providers investing their dollars in talented studios. If you are wanting to sell consoles, it only makes sense to make it as attractive to consumers as possible. Part of that attraction are the games that your platform offers that cannot be played anywhere else.