Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) and NCSOFT entered into a partnership to collaborate and "explore opportunities" across various global business fields, including mobile gaming. Read on to know more.
Sony Interactive Entertainment Announce Partnership with NCSOFT
The collaboration was formalized through a joint meeting between the CEOs of both companies, Taekjin Kim of NCSOFT and Jim Ryan of SIE. According to the official press release, the two companies are actively assessing potential opportunities to foster strategic synergy, leveraging NCSOFT's technological expertise and SIE's global leadership in the entertainment industry.
Jim Ryan emphasized the significance of the partnership in expanding beyond traditional console gaming, stating, "Partnering with NCSoft advances our strategy to expand beyond console and broaden PlayStation’s reach to a wider audience."
Taekjin Kim added, "This partnership with SIE is the beginning of our efforts to build various synergies together, utilizing both companies’ core competencies, technological capabilities, and expertise."
According to Ryan, SIE and NCSOFT have a shared vision in delivering high-quality, impactful entertainment experiences for players globally. "We’re excited to collaborate to push the boundaries of gaming further."
Previous Reports on Partnership
There were reports from approximately a year ago stating that Sony and NCSOFT had entered into an agreement to develop a Horizon MMORPG. As reported by the South Korean news site MTN, "[NCSOFT] has tentatively agreed to pursue a business partnership to create new games using Sony's game IP, and as their first collaboration, they will develop a new game based on the 'Horizon' IP created by Guerrilla Games. It is being produced by NCSOFT’s internal development team."
NCSOFT, the South Korean game company behind the Guild Wars MMO series, was said to spearhead the project. The initiative was described as being aligned with Sony’s broader push into live service games.
Sources:
PRESS RELEASE: NCSOFT and Sony Interactive Entertainment Announce Strategic Partnership
MTN report on NCSOFT-Sony game IP collaboration promoted as 'Horizon' MMORPG development
VGC report on SIE and NCSOFT partnership
