Earlier today it was announced that Sony had made a “strategic investment” into Epic Games in the amount of $250 million. This represents a minority stake of approximately 1.5% given Epic’s estimated value of $17 billion. Epic Games Founder and CEO Tim Sweeney said the following of the investment which adds to an already cozy relationship between Sony and Epic:
Epic Games founder and CEO Tim Sweeny added, “Sony and Epic have both built businesses at the intersection of creativity and technology, and we share a vision of real-time 3D social experiences leading to a convergence of gaming, film, and music. Together we strive to build an even more open and accessible digital ecosystem for all consumers and content creators alike.”
Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida also made a formal statement on the investment:
“Epic’s powerful technology in areas such as graphics places them at the forefront of game engine development with Unreal Engine and other innovations,” Sony Corporation president and CEO Kenichiro Yoshida said in a press release. “There’s no better example of this than the revolutionary entertainment experience, Fortnite. Through our investment, we will explore opportunities for further collaboration with Epic to delight and bring value to consumers and the industry at large, not only in games, but also across the rapidly evolving digital entertainment landscape.”
Our Take
This is nothing more than a standard business move but given the future of the industry and Epic Games, it certainly makes sense for Sony. One thing is for sure; the gaming industry is a huge global focus for major corporations.
