PlayStation CEO Hermen Hulst is Open to Reviving Classic Franchises - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 01 January 2025 / 5,968 Views
PlayStation co-CEO Hermen Hulst in an interview with Famitsu stated he is open to bringing back classic PlayStation IPs.
"The various IPs that we own are an important asset to PlayStation, and as part of our efforts to strengthen our portfolio, we are continually looking at opportunities to leverage past IP, as well as develop new franchises," said Hulst (via a translation from VideoGamesChronicle).
"Our goal is to publish games by the world’s best creators, both inside and outside of PlayStation, and we have achieved many successes so far by working closely with external development studios."
Astro Bot, a platformer that showcases multiple PlayStation franchises, has sold over 1.5 million units as of November 3, 2024. Nearly 40 percent of the sales for the game were purchasing a PlayStation game for the first time, or for the first time in two years.
"We are thrilled that it has been so well received by the gaming community, with a Metacritic score of 94 and a wide range of players who are truly enjoying the game," he said.
"It has also contributed significantly to the expansion of the community, with a higher percentage of younger players and families purchasing the game compared to other titles."
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 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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As far as classic PlayStation franchises I would love to see get a new chance at life would be Resistance, WipeOut, SOCOM, Syphon Filter, and Sly Cooper. Here’s to hoping at least 1 happens!
Sony is incompetent and delusional. You're NOW just figuring out that you have a ton of unused IP? Idiots cancelled a proper Twisted Metal game, stupidly stopped Socom the moment it didn't meet expectations one time- they completely erased Killzone from history. Far too many dummies at the top who need to be axed!
OMEGA BOOST! Wipeout. Wild Arms. Sly Cooper. Ape Escape.
Great to hear! The returning franchises that would give me that nostalgia hype would be: N1- Legend of Dragoon - N2: Demon's Souls (sequel) - N3: Syphon Filter - N4: SOCOM - N5: Twisted Metal
Ape Escape!!!
Do a legend of dragoon game..... fans have been asking for it forever.
Don't change it up, keep it old school and respect the IP, see if you can win hearts with that.
The Getaway franchise needs to come back
The first Getaway really was great for it's time, oddly had so many mechanics that are no staples in the industry before other big games popularised them. Cover shooting, regen HP, no hud, etc. Plus mapping out a part of London exactly was amazing. Ah good times.
Okay, MS said the same thing but if they had faith in these franchises then we'd have them already. Sadly, I think they need a good a balance and need to know what franchises have served their time and which are ripe for another go but there's no point if there isn't the audience. We as old fogies might want a new whatever, but kids and their mtx money don't care.
Yeah I’m getting the unfortunate feeling that it’s just PR speak as well. Thankfully, PlayStation emulation is in a great place across the board and I’ve been able to play nearly every generation of PlayStation consoles at great quality. Even PS3 emulation is in a really good state. At least I’ll be able to continue playing the franchises I grew up playing in practically a remastered state since they’re no longer considered viable in this day and age.
Now he's realising PS have a lot of dormant IP. A shame he only realised after spending $400 million on concord and $100s of millions on other live service games that have been cancelled or still in development.
Talk is cheap, do it.
The sad thing is that if they haven't started developing any revivals yet, even an AA game would be probably 2 or more years out from now.
I’ll take Resistance 3 playable natively on PS5.
To the 3 people who down voted my post about the NY level in TM2. Indulge me, what is your favorite level in the entire TM franchise? Or, are you too scared to speak you mind?
If we assume that Astro Bot's success is the reason for this change of heart, we could use that game's sales to estimate the new "sales floor" for projects (1 to 1.5 million). Series that would reliably sell that much include Ratchet & Clank, LittleBigPlanet, Hot Shots Golf, and possibly Bloodborne or Infamous.
I need to buy astrobot ughhh
I would be jumping from joy if they revived inFamous 1 & 2, LBP 1 & 2, Resistance trilogy, GOW greek mythology, Heavenly Sward or Sly Cooper by remaking them or releasing new entry or bringing them natively on PS5 via emulation .
I think it was a mistake putting him in management. He should have stayed in guerilla games only. I'm seeing less exclusives and mome blunders, after he became ceo of playstation.
Ok, I'm in on your plans...Bring back Twisted Metal......but base it on TM2....and NOT on TM3...That game was a joke....To HH....TM2 is the best of the TM franchise, specifically, the NY level.....Here's my advice, come out with a TM4, and base its levels on TM2s NY level. Start there, and grow.
So..., they will do a new God of War and a new Gran Turismo (this last by 2032)
So..., they will do a new God of War and a new Gran Turismo (this last by 2032)
Let me guess only if it can be turned into GAAS to suit the live service obsession am I right
