Sony’s game sales increased due to the success of HBO’s series “The Last Of Us,” based on a video game of the same name.
Sony Group Corp announced on May 24, 2023 that the phenomenal success of the television drama “The Last Of Us” on HBO has had a significant impact on the sales of the game series it is based on. This unique case showcases Sony’s ability to leverage its popular franchises to drive sales across different business lines. During an investor briefing, Jim Ryan, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, revealed that the release of each episode of the show correlated with a substantial increase in game sales.
Sony confirms The Last of Us HBO being a mega-hit massively boosted sales of The Last of Us Series and a number of songs used in the show such as Take On Me🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/KpdgDXUWEY
— DomTheBomb (@DomTheBombYT) May 19, 2023
This accomplishment highlights Sony’s strategic efforts to expand its business beyond being solely an electronics manufacturer and transform it into an entertainment powerhouse encompassing gaming, music, and movies. As part of this diversification, Sony has extended its “The Last Of Us” franchise, known for its depiction of characters navigating the post-apocalyptic United States, to the PC platform.
Ryan emphasized the success of Sony’s PC business, noting that it has become a significant contributor to profits. The company forecasts that PC revenue will reach $450 million in the current financial year, a substantial increase from $80 million two years ago.
Regarding consoles, supply chain challenges have alleviated, and PlayStation 5 sales are expected to surpass those of the PlayStation 4 during the current financial year. Additionally, investors are eagerly awaiting further details on Sony’s expansion into live service and mobile games.
Although Sony has traditionally excelled in single-player games, over half of its PlayStation investment this year will focus on live-service games, which offer continuous updates and gameplay experiences. The gaming industry anticipates that cloud technology and artificial intelligence advancements will revolutionize the landscape, and Sony aims to play a pivotal role in these developments.
Ryan hinted at Sony’s ambitious plans to accelerate initiatives in cloud technology without providing specific details, indicating that exciting announcements will unfold in the coming months.