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PlayStation CEO: New IP Launches are 'Very Risky'

PlayStation CEO: New IP Launches are 'Very Risky' - News

by William D'Angelo , posted on 01 December 2020 / 1,888 Views

PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan in an interview with GQ Magazine discussed the PS5 and the first-party lineup of games. He says they have never been in better shape when it comes to first-party developers than they are now, especially with the acquisition of Insomniac Games.

"That’s certainly the strategy with which we launch when it comes to the games that we make ourselves from Worldwide Studios," said Ryan.

"I humbly submit that we've never been in better shape than we are now. The studios over the course of the PS4 generation have really come on. It's a real point of difference for us and we intend to continue to grow that capability.

"We’ve invested a lot organically over the course of the PS4 generation, more than people realise. We've added Insomniac Games [Spider-Man Miles Morales’ developer] through acquisition. We're making great games now and we certainly plan to continue making great games."

PlayStation CEO: New IP Launches are 'Very Risky'

Ryan added it is "very risky" to launch a new IP as the cost of AAA games are over $100 million and they did it four times on the PlayStation 4.

"The thing with those blockbuster games is that they need a box office release," he added. "They cost more than $100m dollars to make these days and in order to be able to do that and bring new IP to the market – which is a very risky thing and we did four times in the PS4 generation – you've got to have a box office release."

Horizon Zero Dawn and Ghost of Tsushima are two of the bigger successes when it comes to new IPs from Sony on the PS4.


A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.


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15 Comments
DonFerrari (on 23 November 2020)

Agree with all his points. Let's hope they keep releasing new IPs in PS5 and that they are great and well received.

  • +10
pitzy272 (on 23 November 2020)

He mentions there has been more organic growth in their existing studios than people realize. I’m very happy to hear this. I think he’s referencing the strongly-rumored second team creation at GG, but I’m hoping SSM and ND will also create second teams as well. I also hope very, very much that Sony builds up Team Asobi and makes Astro Bot into a major AAA franchise. Team Asobi is brilliantly talented.

  • +8
AFattyGamer (on 23 November 2020)

Shawn Layden would never talk like this. Jim Ryan is so iffy to me.

  • +2
non-gravity (on 23 November 2020)

Knack cost over 100 million confirmed

  • +1
poroporo non-gravity (on 23 November 2020)

Bugsnax is the new Knack

  • -1
ArchangelMadzz (on 23 November 2020)

It's funny, cause I really like playstation under him, so they're clearly doing well, making great games, doing great new IP's.

I just don't like this guy when he speaks.

  • +1
Mr Puggsly (on 24 November 2020)

I think the genre is most risky. Which is why we see many new IPs that are often in a few genres.

  • 0
KratosLives (on 24 November 2020)

Maybe he's indicating there will be less new ip's? I wonder if we will get more unique games like death stranding on ps5. I hope sony takes some risks when it comes to new games.

  • 0
pitzy272 (on 23 November 2020)

He mentions there has been more organic growth in their existing studios than people realize. I’m very happy to hear this. I think he’s referencing the strongly-rumored second team creation at GG, but I’m hoping SSM and ND will also create second teams as well. I also hope very, very much that Sony builds up Team Asobi and makes Astro Bot into a major AAA franchise. Team Asobi is brilliantly talented.

  • 0
EpicRandy (on 23 November 2020)

"The thing with those blockbuster games is that they need a box office release," funny cause the only possible solution to this is through day one release on a subscription service. Something they don't want to do/commit to.

  • -8
method114 EpicRandy (on 23 November 2020)

Sony has already looked at this option it's not sustainable for them. Even Xbox has admitted it's not a big profit right now. It's not just how much you make per month there is an expense involved in their setup and I doubt EA play is free because EA is a kind hearted company who just loves gamers. If I had to guess MS is paying a large portion of that out of their monthly payments they receive but at a lower price because it's a guarantee of 10mil+ users.

  • +2
mutantsushi EpicRandy (on 23 November 2020)

Before you have a solution, you need to have a problem. Where is the problem?
They are making these blockbuster gamers and are finding success with new IPs, and are more profitable than ever.

  • +2
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method114 shikamaru317 (on 23 November 2020)

Agreed MS did try at least. Quantum Break actually looked great but the gameplay just wasn't good. An unfortunate miss by Remedy. Who then goes on to make Control which has gotten a lot of praise from people.

  • 0
Signalstar shikamaru317 (on 23 November 2020)

Luck has nothing to do with it...

  • +1