TOKYO: Sony is in talks to acquire Kadokawa, a Japanese media conglomerate behind the smash-hit game “Elden Ring”, the Nikkei business daily and other media reported on Tuesday.

Nikkei said the negotiations were “thought to be in the early stages”, while Bloomberg said Sony “has been studying a possible offer for Kadokawa and the two companies have held talks”, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter.

The deal, if successful, would expand Sony’s games and anime portfolio, after its 2021 purchase of Crunchyroll, a once semi-legal US-based sharing site that is now a streaming giant for Japanese anime.

Contacted by AFP, Sony declined to comment. Kadokawa was not immediately available for comment.

Kadokawa is a media giant known for producing anime and publishing books including manga comics. It also owns Tokyo-based FromSoftware, the creator of the dark fantasy role-playing adventure game “Elden Ring”.

The game — with gorgeous graphics and daunting battles — was developed with help from the author of “Game of Thrones”, George R.R. Martin.

“Sony Group aims to gain the rights to works and content through acquisitions, making its profit structure less dependent on hit titles,” Nikkei reported.

“Holding rights will allow the company to earn royalties when its songs are used in movies and TV shows, and when other artists perform its songs,” it said.

Sony said this month that its net profits jumped in the second quarter thanks to stronger sales in gaming, music and imaging sensors.

The company’s PlayStation 5 Pro console hit shelves in November, but its price tag — 799.99 euros ($860) in Europe — has raised eyebrows among gamers.

AFP