Kadokawa Confirms Sony’s Takeover Interest in Elden Ring Developer FromSoftware, Decision Pending

Kadokawa Corporation, well-known as the majority owner of the game developer FromSoftware—famous for titles like Elden Ring, Bloodborne, and Dark Souls—has revealed that it recently received a preliminary offer from Sony to acquire its shares. However, it’s important to note that no decision has been made yet on whether Kadokawa will sell to Sony.

This announcement comes on the heels of a report from Reuters yesterday. The report mentioned that discussions between Kadokawa and Sony are “ongoing” and that a deal could be finalized “in the coming weeks” if these negotiations go smoothly.

In response to the escalating speculation and the spike in Kadokawa’s share value following the news, CEO Takeshi Natsuno issued a statement. It seems shareholders are eagerly eyeing the potential for corporate consolidation—a concept they likely relish thanks to their financial backgrounds.

The statement notes the presence of reports suggesting an acquisition by Sony, but clarifies that Kadokawa itself has not released such information. The company has acknowledged receiving Sony’s initial letter of intent regarding the acquisition, but reiterated that “no decision has been made at this time.”

“We will make an announcement in a timely and appropriate manner should any definitive information emerge,” the statement concludes.

As of now, this potential acquisition remains speculative, with Sony staying mum on the subject for the moment.

If Sony were to purchase Kadokawa, it wouldn’t just be gaining control over FromSoftware. The acquisition would also include Spike Chunsoft, developers of Danganronpa, as well as Acquire, known for collaborating on Octopath Traveler, and Gotcha Gotcha Games, the creators behind RPG Maker. Moreover, Kadokawa’s significant influence in the anime and manga sectors could also have notable implications, which we’ve elaborated on before.

What are your thoughts on Sony possibly becoming the majority owner of FromSoftware by acquiring Kadokawa? Feel free to share your opinions below!