Sony Interactive Entertainment is expanding beyond video games with the launch of PlayStation Productions, an in-house production studio built to develop television series and movies based on the Playstation's video game library.
"We’ve got 25 years of game development experience and that’s created 25 years of great games, franchises and stories," SIE chairman Shawn Layden told The Hollywood Reporter about the company's new initiative. "We feel that now is a good time to look at other media opportunities across streaming or film or television to give our worlds life in another spectrum.
"We looked at what Marvel has done in taking the world of comic books and making it into the biggest thing in the film world," Layden added, explaining how the new studio is approaching its projects. "It would be a lofty goal to say we’re following in their footsteps, but certainly we’re taking inspiration from that."
The studio's approach will differ from previous adaptations, with the filmmakers focusing on telling new stories starring Sony's characters rather than attempting to condense 40-50 hours of gameplay into a single film or TV show. "You don’t try to retell the game in a movie," Layden emphasized. Whether a property is targeted for television or film will depend on the story Sony's creatives want to tell.
Though no projects have been announced, Playstation Productions is reportedly already working on several adaptations. Among the potential titles in Sony's library are Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, Metal Gear Solid, God of War and The Last of Us, among others.
There is no word on whether the new studio will be involved in any objects already underway, such as the recently announced Tomb Raider sequel currently being developed by MGM and Warner Bros.