The Metaverse, as much as Mark Zuckerberg denies it, is inherently a video game. Despite its socialisation focus, it will always be a video game. Unsurprisingly, established game companies are already trying to bring their expertise to the next-gen virtual world, with an upcoming Sony Metaverse now joining the ranks.
What is the Sony Metaverse?
Revealed in a 2022 Corporate Strategy Meeting, PlayStation parent company Sony is working on its own version of The Metaverse. Joining the ranks of Meta, Bandai Namco and more, the Sony Metaverse will be a virtual world that users can interact with through mixed reality.
Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida explained that the company is looking to create a “social space and live network space where games, music, movies, and anime intersect”. The CEO noted that the company’s various subsidiaries — Sony Pictures, Music, PlayStation, etc — would be able to share one huge virtual world.
Yoshida didn’t explain much about the Sony Metaverse, only that it is actively being pursued by the company. Additionally, Sony will be looking to newly-acquired game developer Bungie — creators of Halo and Destiny — to influence the social aspects of its Metaverse.
Another influence on Sony’s upcoming virtual platform is Epic Games’ Fortnite. While not technically a Metaverse, Fortnite and Roblox are both seen as proto-Metaverses, melting pots of social experiences and IP that bring in a vast audience.
Read More: Metaverse expected to add $3 trillion to global economy in 10 years
It makes sense for the company
Sony is nothing if not a trend chaser; in movies, games and more, the company often pivots to popular fads. With this in mind, it’s no surprise that the company will be creating its own Metaverse, the tech industry’s ongoing buzzword.
Nevertheless, the company is suited well to take on The Metaverse in the near future. Sony already has a vast amount of beloved IP to shove into its Metaverse, as well as in-development hardware to power it.
With most people attributing the Metaverse to virtual reality, Sony has already proven its hand in that industry. The PSVR and upcoming PSVR 2 could be used to access the Metaverse, if Sony wants.
It’s also worth keeping in mind that Sony has tried this type of virtual world before. Back on the PlayStation 3, Sony developed PlayStation Home, a virtual world that eventually got closed down. Will this follow the same trajectory?
Explore new topics and discover content that's right for you!