Sony acknowledges challenges in live service transition

Lin Tao highlights progress amid setbacks in Sony’s live service strategy.

Sony acknowledges challenges in live service transition

Sony's chief financial officer, Lin Tao, addressed the company's efforts and difficulties in transitioning to live service games during a recent financial report. Despite some setbacks with titles like Concord and Marathon, Tao emphasized the growth that has been made since the introduction of live services a few years ago. She noted that while there has been negative news surrounding certain projects, live services have become a significant source of revenue, contributing around 40% to the first-party software revenue in the last quarter. Tao expressed the need for Sony to learn from its missteps, aiming to ensure future live service offerings are smoother and more efficient.

Sony's commitment to live service games reflects a broader trend in the gaming industry, where recurrent revenue models are becoming vital for sustained profitability. However, the challenges faced this year highlight the high stakes involved in this strategy. As the company grapples with delays and cancellations, it is crucial for Sony to balance innovation with consumer expectations. The journey is one of trial and error, and learning from mistakes will be essential for establishing a reliable portfolio of live service games.

Highlights

The outcome of Sony's strategy in live services will be closely watched by industry experts and players alike.