Sony's East-West Clash: The Gaming Industry's Divisive Issue

The significant conflict within Sony, their internal struggle, has escalated into a major dispute, where eastern and western game creators are butting heads over the contentious topic of agendas in video games.

In his office high above Tokyo, with its panoramic view of the city’s iconic skyline representing Japan’s economic power, the CEO of Sony takes a moment to breathe in the invigorating Eastern air, paying tribute to both his heritage and Japan’s storied history. However, a subtle fragrance from the West drifts into his senses, breaking his tranquility. In that instant, the samurai spirit deep within him awakens, recognizing that the mighty vessel of Sony—its gaming empire—has been challenged.

It seems they were puzzled as they scrutinized the financial reports from Sony’s Western division, noticing a significant and undeniable drop in performance. Previously successful sequels were experiencing a sharp decline in sales, leaving them wondering: What on earth is going on with our Western office? Why are sales falling, costs escalating, and most importantly, where did our funds disappear to?

Western Market Troubles

Discuss the case of “The Last of Us Part 2,” which is Naughty Dog’s eagerly awaited follow-up. Surprisingly, it has only sold 10 million copies so far, representing a significant 40% decrease compared to the original’s 17 million. On the other hand, “Ghost of Tsushima,” an unexpected hit, managed to reach 13 million sales.

In a significant contrast to its previous installment which garnered an impressive 33 million sales, Insomniac’s Spider-Man 2 saw only 10 million purchases. The latest release of God of War Ragnarök, on the other hand, sold 15 million copies compared to its 2018 reboot’s sales figure of 23 million. Likewise, Horizon Forbidden West managed to sell 8 million units, whereas its precursor, Zero Dawn, recorded a massive 20 million sales.

Despite starting with limited support, the game titled “Days Gone” surpassed 7 million units sold by 2022, which could mean it might outperform “The Last of Us Part 2” in the end. However, a sequel to “Days Gone” was unfortunately canceled.

As I sat down to pen my thoughts on the latest chapter in the Sony gaming saga, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of foreboding. The production costs for Firewalk’s “Concord,” a game that ultimately fell flat, had spiraled out of control, burning through hundreds of millions before it even saw the light of day. This wasn’t just a minor hiccup; it was a stark reminder of the financial bleeding and eroding trust from fans that Sony Japan was facing.

Looking deeper, I could see the makings of an internal battle that threatened to tear the Sony gaming empire asunder. This was no small storm; it was the rumble of a tempest brewing across oceans, a harbinger of strife that could split the once mighty Sony gaming realm in two.

The Concord Debacle

In the end, Concord served as the decisive factor in Sony’s internal conflict. Calculations suggest that it cost them billions – an enormous setback for a venture spearheaded by Sony’s Western CEO, Jim Ryan.

Launched in August 2024, the live-service shooter developed by Firewalk Studios over an eight-year period failed miserably, selling far less than anticipated and closing down just two weeks after release. This financial setback may have led Sony Japan to acknowledge a hard fact: the decision-making at Sony West was more influenced by ideology than market demand.

Games were either approved or ignored, not based on what consumers wanted, but rather on whether they fit with the storyline. This discovery could have contributed to the growing disagreements between Sony’s Eastern and Western divisions.

Helldivers 2: A Tale of Success and Missteps

Instead, it’s worth noting that Helldivers 2 launched with impressive results, selling millions of units within just a few weeks following its release in February 2024.

Arrowhead Game Studios crafted a lively, team-oriented shooter game that appealed to players seeking unadulterated fun instead of heavy political undertones. However, Sony West’s moderation team came close to spoiling the experience by applying strict ideological rules—censoring differing viewpoints on sensitive topics and isolating those who simply wanted to immerse themselves in the gameplay without political interference.

During that timeframe, posts indicate fans expressing dissatisfaction over perceived heavy censorship on the official forums, and a significant drop in player numbers on Steam was observed. The situation deteriorated further when Johan Pilestedt, Arrowhead’s CEO and a strong advocate for player-centric design, resigned in May 2024, with Shams Jorjani taking over the position instead.

It’s said that Jorjani advocated for tough gameplay elements and additional purchases, eliminating potent tactics. This, along with the compulsory linking of PlayStation Network accounts for Steam users—a decision partially rescinded following numerous refund demands—caused Helldivers 2 to lose a significant amount of its initial momentum.

Reassessing Days Gone

Sony Japan’s scrutiny in this internal battle then returned to Days Gone.

Although it received mixed feedback with IGN awarding a moderate score and criticizing its open world as unoriginal, the 2019 title from Bend Studio managed to amass a significant fanbase, demonstrating potential for lasting popularity.

However, Sony decided not to proceed with a sequel for The Last of Us as Naughty Dog, supported by Sony West, were concerned about over-saturating the zombie genre and overshadowing their own ventures. This included an ambitious multiplayer adaptation of The Last of Us that eventually failed to materialize.

Initially, Bend was temporarily taken off their project to work with Naughty Dog, but unfortunately, that partnership didn’t work out as planned. From the standpoint of Sony Japan, Days Gone represented a missed opportunity because it kept selling well even as The Last of Us Part 2 started to lose some of its initial luster.

The Ghost of Yotei Reveal

Ghost of Yotei was Sony Japan’s swift counterpunch to Ubisoft’s ill-fated Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

By summer 2024, Shadows stirred up debate due to its depiction of Yasuke (a Black samurai) and a questionable Torii Gate scene. Seizing an opportunity to establish authenticity, Sony Japan encouraged Sucker Punch to introduce Ghost of Yotei in September 2024, positioning it as the legitimate heir to the blockbuster hit Ghost of Tsushima.

However, the unveiling didn’t go as planned. It turned out that Sony Japan had swapped the main character of Tsushima, Jin Sakai, with a new female protagonist named Yasuko, without anticipating the reaction from fans. On social media, there was an instant uproar, with fans accusing Sony of prioritizing “Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion” (DEI) initiatives over cherished male characters. Investigations later revealed that key creators behind Tsushima, such as director Nate Fox and numerous original team members, had left by 2023 due to what seemed like excessive control from Sony West.

Sony’s Corporate Restructuring

This significant incident caused a major shake-up inside Sony Corporation. The top management in Tokyo, often referred to as the “elite samurais,” initiated a comprehensive overhaul, much like a ceremonial cleansing, aiming to remove perceived flaws within their system that they believed were deeply rooted.

In the final months of 2024, the leadership team at Sony West was reshuffled, with Hiroki Totoki and Hideaki Nishino stepping into key roles. These two seasoned professionals were chosen by Kenichiro Yoshida, Sony’s CEO, based in Tokyo. Their mission is to guide Sony back to its core values: providing enjoyable, inventive experiences that are shaped by the players themselves, without being influenced by ideological mistakes.

Days Gone Remaster and The End of TLOU3

Anxious to restore trust, I took the plunge by unveiling a remastered version of Days Gone for early 2025. The success or failure of this endeavor could potentially determine if we’re given the go-ahead for a long-awaited sequel—the fate of Bend Studio may well hang in the balance, depending on how this unfolds.

Currently, Neil Druckmann from Naughty Dog has verified that The Last of Us Part 3 is not progressing at the moment, which aligns with speculations that their main franchise may have lost some traction. Given that The Last of Us Part 2 no longer maintains the same level of dominance as before, Sony seems to be focusing more on Days Gone, a title that continues to enjoy strong support and has demonstrated its longevity.

Naughty Dog’s Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet

The situation grew more intense as Naughty Dog presented their fresh intellectual property titled “Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet” at The Game Awards in December 2024, which received a less-than-enthusiastic reception.

Online response to the news was relatively subdued, and shortly afterward, a plot summary leaked, featuring a space-drifting outcast fighting against robot dictators – themes that Sony Japan deemed as uninspiring, resembling the 2010 game “Enslaved: Odyssey to the West.” Compared to the gritty intensity of “The Last of Us Part II,” “Intergalactic” seemed more toned down and less adventurous.

As a passionate cinephile, I must confess that despite the silence from Naughty Dog, whispers suggest that Sony Japan viewed their latest project not as a daring reimagining, but as a worn-out rehash of past successes.

Looking Ahead: The Return to Japanese Roots

As the re-release of “Days Gone” gathers momentum with promising preorders, Sony is carefully reassessing their entire collection to avoid a repeat of an internal conflict like the one seen with “Ghost of Yotei“.

As a discerning movie critic, I find myself contemplating the intriguing predicament faced by Sony regarding their ambitious project, “Intergalactic”. With rumors swirling that scrapping it now would result in substantial financial setbacks, Sony is left to meticulously weigh their choices.

Meanwhile, whispers of a possible alliance between Sony, Take-Two, and Rockstar for PS5-exclusive elements within the highly anticipated “GTA 6” continue to gather steam. This potential partnership, if confirmed, could be a game-changer in the realm of gaming.

Unwaveringly, it’s clear: The tranquil samurai titan has stirred from his slumber. With blades unsheathed and vigilant gaze, Sony Japan is steadfast in its pursuit to regain its position as a pillar of gaming greatness. By rekindling the joy and ingenuity that once defined PlayStation, they aim to restore its legendary status.

2025-03-13 14:56

Sony’s East-West Clash: The Gaming Industry’s Divisive Issue