Sony Interactive Entertainment
Sony Interactive Entertainment business and news from across the web.
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Sony agrees to transfer over 400 global VR patents to Meta following December 2025 agreement
Sony has agreed to transfer 419 global virtual reality patents to Meta, including 180 filed in the US, as part of an agreement signed in December 2025. This move follows Sony's sale of over 40 VR-related patents to Meta between June and September. The decision comes as Sony appears to be scaling back its VR efforts, while Meta continues to invest in VR technology despite significant financial losses in its Reality Labs division.
PS Portal Stealth-Drops System Software Update for October 2026
Sony Interactive Entertainment has released system software update 7.3.0 for the PlayStation Portal, introducing features like 3D audio toggling and an improved search experience. This update follows recent reports of a potential OLED model launch and an expansion of the direct cloud streaming library.
Ex-PlayStation lead says too many devs are trying to make "the thing that they think is just going to hit"…
Former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden believes many AAA developers are too focused on creating guaranteed hits rather than pursuing unique ideas, leading to safe, formulaic games. He criticizes the trend of chasing 'Fortnite money' with failed live service attempts and suggests that while artistic vision needs guidance, publishers are increasingly risk-averse.
NBA 2K27 tops US August charts, becomes third-best selling game of 2026 | US Monthly Charts
NBA 2K27 topped the US sales charts for August 2026, becoming the third-best-selling game of the year according to Circana data. New releases like Madden NFL 27 and Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls also performed well. Overall consumer spending on video games in the US fell 9% in August, with hardware unit sales reaching their lowest point since 2013, though PlayStation 5 hardware sales saw a 17% increase.
US Video Game Hardware Sales Just Had Their Worst August In 13 Years
US video game hardware sales experienced their worst August in 13 years, with a 15% year-over-year decline in unit sales. Despite fewer consoles sold, higher prices, including those for mid-generation upgrades like the PlayStation 5 Pro, led to a significant increase in dollar sales for Sony. Market saturation and price increases are cited as key factors for the overall downturn.
PlayStation 5 Getting Major UI Update Nobody Expected
Sony Interactive Entertainment is rolling out a new PlayStation 5 system update in Spring 2027 that will add a dedicated hub for the anime streaming service Crunchyroll to the console's home screen. This integration aims to connect anime and gaming fan communities, allowing users to discover anime and anime-inspired games more easily.
Hell Let Loose developer Expression opens new studio in Manchester "in response to what's happening in the talent market"
Expression Games, the developer behind Hell Let Loose, has opened a new physical studio in Manchester, England. CEO Errol Ismail stated the move is a response to the current talent market, aiming to provide a creative hub and support team lifestyles while continuing to offer remote work flexibility. The studio will also facilitate co-development partnerships.
The Witcher 3 Remastered: Still the Open-World Game to Beat?
This article compares The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered to other top open-world games like Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. While The Witcher 3 excels in storytelling and characters, it falls short in combat compared to some titles but remains a must-play experience.
RPG creator says Sony's all-digital future is good for devs as discs "can't win in terms of convenience" and games like GTA 6 are "too big" for them anyway
Hiroshi Matsuyama, CEO of CyberConnect 2, believes Sony's move towards an all-digital future for PlayStation is beneficial for game developers. He argues that digital distribution eliminates manufacturing costs, increases profitability, and is more convenient for consumers, citing the massive file sizes of games like Grand Theft Auto 6 as evidence that physical discs are becoming obsolete.
PlayStation Portal Fans Get Hardware Update They’ve Been Waiting For
Sony Interactive Entertainment is expected to release an OLED model of the PlayStation Portal, following certification of two new devices. Leaks suggest the updated handheld streaming device will feature Android 15 and Wi-Fi 5, with a potential announcement and release during the holiday shopping season.
Former Sony exec reveals Nintendo's sweary response to original PSP reveal
Former Sony executive Shawn Layden shared an anecdote about a Nintendo employee's profane reaction to the original PlayStation Portable reveal. Despite the PSP's success, Layden believes piracy and Sony's struggle to market multiple platforms simultaneously contributed to the PlayStation Vita's lower sales and Sony's eventual exit from the dedicated handheld market.
PS Store Code for Free Spider-Man Download, PS Plus Not Needed
Sony Interactive Entertainment is offering free Spider-Man: Brand New Day avatars for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 players through the PlayStation Store. These avatars are available for a limited time and do not require a PlayStation Plus subscription, despite initial wording suggesting otherwise.
New Ape Escape Reportedly in Development at Sonic Mania Team
A new installment in the Ape Escape series is reportedly in development, with the project being led by the same team responsible for the critically acclaimed Sonic Mania. This news suggests a potential revival of the classic PlayStation franchise.
GTA 6 PC Release Date Estimate, Rumors, And News
Grand Theft Auto 6 is slated for a November 19, 2026 release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with a PC version estimated for Q1 2028. This estimate is based on Rockstar Games' historical release patterns for PC versions of their titles, which often follow console launches by 12-19 months. While Rockstar has not officially announced a PC version, Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick has emphasized the growing importance of the PC market.
Prime Day PS5 deals end today: the best console, game, and accessory savings I've found in the sale
Prime Day PlayStation 5 deals are ending today, with discounts on consoles, games, and accessories. While new consoles are unlikely to see significant price cuts, refurbished models are available for $100 less than MSRP. Many accessory and game deals are expected to continue through Black Friday.
New PlayStation Portal OLED model coming soon suggests new Sony filing
Sony Interactive Entertainment has filed two new device certifications with the Wi-Fi Alliance, model numbers CFI-Y2105 and CFI-Y2000, which are believed to be related to a new PlayStation Portal. These filings suggest a potential refresh of the handheld streaming device, possibly featuring an OLED screen, though this is not explicitly stated. The current PlayStation Portal, launched in 2023, has shown a strong attach rate among PlayStation 5 owners.
"It has no place in my world": Analogue Pocket SNES emulator dev says AI-powered hack is loaded with slop code…
The developer behind the SNES emulator for the Analogue Pocket has criticized a contributor for submitting a massive, unrequested AI-generated code patch for an experimental MSU-1 streaming feature. The developer stated that the code was filled with unrelated garbage and that such submissions are unacceptable and infringe on maintainers' time and effort.
GameStop refurbished PS5 Pros selling at $1,330
Refurbished PlayStation 5 Pro consoles are being sold at GameStop for $1,330 USD, significantly higher than the original retail price of $700. This markup is attributed to factors like component shortages and tariffs, with PlayStation itself having implemented price hikes earlier in 2026.
Naughty Dog "exists to sell Sony hardware," former Last of Us and Uncharted dev says, so it doesn't have to be as "profit-driven as other companies"
A former Naughty Dog VFX artist suggests the studio exists primarily to sell PlayStation hardware, allowing it to focus on high-quality single-player games rather than being purely profit-driven. This strategy contrasts with the industry trend towards live-service titles, with Sony leveraging exclusive first-party games to boost console sales.
How to Claim Mafia III and Call of Duty: WWII for Free on PSN UK
PlayStation players in the UK can claim Mafia III and Call of Duty: WWII for free on the PlayStation Store. Both are PS4 titles and can be added to eligible accounts' libraries. Instructions are provided on how to create a UK PlayStation Network account if needed.
