PlayStation-Maker Sony Rides 'The Last Of Us' Success To Drive Gaming Sales

Regarding consoles, Sony has seen improvements in supply chain challenges.

The PlayStation maker has expanded the reach of 'The Last Of Us' franchise.

Source : HBO

Sony on Wednesday revealed that the success of the hit drama series 'The Last Of Us' on HBO has significantly boosted sales of the game series it is based on. Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan highlighted the clear correlation between the release of new episodes and a dramatic increase in game sales during an investor briefing. This success story exemplifies Sony's strategy to drive business across various lines after its transformation from an electronics manufacturer to an entertainment giant encompassing games, music, and movies.

The PlayStation maker has expanded the reach of 'The Last Of Us' franchise, which portrays the struggles of characters in a post-apocalyptic United States, by releasing it on PC as part of their diversification efforts.

Ryan noted that the PC business has already become a significant contributor to profits, with Sony expecting PC revenue to reach $450 million in the current fiscal year, a substantial increase compared to $80 million two years ago.

Regarding consoles, Sony has seen improvements in supply chain challenges, leading to PlayStation 5 sales expected to surpass those of the PlayStation 4 in the current fiscal year. Investors are eagerly awaiting further details on Sony's plans for expansion into live service and mobile games.

While Sony has traditionally excelled in single-player games, the company intends to allocate over half of its PlayStation investment this year to live-service games, which offer ongoing and updated gameplay experiences.

Anticipating the transformative impact of cloud technology and artificial intelligence on the gaming industry, where Sony has played a prominent role, Ryan teased that the company has ambitious plans to accelerate its initiatives in the cloud space. However, specific details were not provided, leaving investors intrigued for further announcements in the coming months.