The sale of Sony Online Entertainment, the studio behind MMOs like Everquest, PlanetSide 2, H1Z1, or Everquest Next, surprised many. Analysts believe they have found an explanation.
On Monday, Sony unexpectedly sold the MMO studio Sony Online Entertainment, which was founded in 1996. The Fortune magazine dealt with the sale and asked some analysts what explanation model they have.
According to Fortune, SOE was founded in the late 90s to develop subscription-based MMOs. In recent years, however, the market has shifted toward free-to-play MMOs. Only Blizzard still makes money with World of Warcraft the “old way”. The crux seems to be that SOE is focusing on a free-to-play model, but on the wrong platform.
Free-to-Play grows strongest on Mobile
According to analyst Michael Pachter, the sale of SOE should be understood as Sony not seeing the future of free-to-play games on PC, but rather in the mobile market. The free-to-play market is growing strongest on tablets and smartphones. SOE, with its focus on PC games, could not contribute anything here.
According to Pachter’s assessment, the investment group Columbus Nova contacted Sony and made an offer for SOE. They did not have to put SOE up for sale on the open market.
Sony retreats from PC
According to another analyst, Sartori Bernbeck, the sale of SOE shows that Sony wants to focus even more on Playstation as a primary platform in the future.
A year ago, Sony already abandoned the PC hardware division Sony Vaio, which Fortune sees as a sign that Sony is distancing itself from the PC market.
