Did Sony Sell SOE Because It Wasn't "Mobile" Enough?

That seems to be the conclusion reached by industry analyst Michael Pachter...

Jason Winter
By Jason Winter, News Editor Posted:
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That seems to be the conclusion reached by industry analyst Michael Pachter, who's quoted as saying

"Unfortunately, free-to-play is growing most rapidly on phones and tablets, and SOE wasn’t there because those aren’t really core Sony products. SOE didn’t support any of Sony’s consumer electronics businesses, so it was easy to sell."

That quote, as well as additional analysis, can be found in an article for Fortune.com by veteran gaming writer John Gaudiosi. In short, it suggests that, while F2P is taking over the gaming industry, SOE/Daybreak's brand of F2P didn't jive with Sony's plans, so the parent company sold it off.

I originally typed "Sony's long-term plans," but let's be honest: Much of the F2P mobile business revolves around short-term gain and minimizing churn, not the kind of long-term commitment that MMO players have come to expect. If this is the case, then the sale of SOE sounds even better, if it's freeing Smedley and company from a parent that might have been pressuring them to make their games "more like mobile" -- i.e., maximizing short-term profits, usually through aggressive cash shop practices.

Now, there's no guarantee that life with Columbus Nova will be any better, but I'd wager that John Smedley at least did his homework, and had several meetings with CN's bosses, to determine just what their vision was for his company. And that future likely includes something that doesn't resemble the mobile gaming market.

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About the Author

Jason Winter
Jason Winter, News Editor
Jason Winter is a veteran gaming journalist, he brings a wide range of experience to MMOBomb, including two years with Beckett Media where he served as the editor of the leading gaming magazine Massive Online Gamer. He has also written professionally for several gaming websites.

Discussion (10)

Anon 8 years ago
I'm embarassed for you MMObomb for having a Pachter quote on your site.
One of the biggest morons. I don't think hes ever once been right about anything he said unless it was information he got from someone more credible.

View 1 reply
Sun 8 years ago
for real, none of the SOE games were good in my oppinion. I know theres people liking them but i can totally understand that they had to sell it.

View 1 reply
70calories 8 years ago
I don't understand the appeal of mobile games and why they're suddenly so popular most of them are horrible and nothing but a money sink

View 2 replies
Goblingraph 8 years ago
It makes total sense. Daybreak is definitely more of long term thinkers. When mobile games have enough money to buy Superbowl ad space, you know it's a big business.

SneezE 8 years ago
Wow thats just harsh.....


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