Sony wants to make another big splash with the PS5 and is initially planning the release of "Marvel's Wolverine" for September 15, 2026. At the same time, the Japanese company is pushing ahead with a massive expansion of its global software portfolio with over 120 funded projects.
Greg Svensson, Head of Global Third Party Relations, emphasizes in an interview with The Game Business the long-term strategy, highlighting the enormous visibility of the pipeline for the next three to five years: “The trajectory of content is unbelievably positive.”
Marvel's Wolverine as a fixed point
"Marvel's Wolverine“This is the most concrete statement regarding first-party planning. The game from Insomniac Games serves internally as a benchmark for the performance of the current hardware revisions. Since the release date is in September, Sony is once again securing the strategically important pre-Christmas season with a powerful Marvel license. It can be assumed that this title will once again raise the bar for features like PSSR and ray tracing integration.”
Beyond the major blockbusters, Sony is investing heavily in a broad range of projects. According to official figures, more than 120 projects have already been fully or partially funded this console generation. This number includes only second- and third-party deals. Projects from the so-called Hero Programs are not even included. "We have funded either wholly or partially more than 120 projects this generation. And that's not counting Hero projects", so Svensson.
This strategy serves to minimize risk. While first-party productions are becoming increasingly expensive and require longer development cycles, external deals ensure a continuous supply of software. For players, this means a higher density of exclusive titles that don't necessarily come from the well-known PlayStation Studios.
Focus on Asia and global expansion
A significant portion of future content will originate from China and South Korea. The India Hero Project has already delivered its first market-ready product with "Fishbowl," while the fourth wave of games is already in preparation for the China Hero Project. Sony sees tremendous development speed in these regions. Svensson emphasizes: “The pace at which I'm seeing teams in China and South Korea move are astonishing.” The content created there is also intended to differ significantly in style from previous PlayStation titles.
Small-scale productions also remain an integral part of the platform strategy. Sony plans to continue four to six targeted indie collaborations per year, often integrated directly into the PlayStation Plus service or prominently featured in State of Play presentations. The goal is to showcase indie titles on the same stage as major AAA partners to demonstrate the diversity of the portfolio.
This strategy is a necessary leap forward after the live service offensive failed spectacularly. Sony is responding to criticism of its insufficient release plans with significant investments in external partners. For PS5 players, this means:
- Planning security: Marvel's Wolverine is the next big blockbuster with a set release date.
- Diversity: The shift in focus towards Asia (China/Korea) makes the portfolio less Western-centric.
- Subscription added value: The confirmation of the indie offensive ensures a continuous supply for PlayStation Plus-Members off.
Anyone hoping for pure first-party dominance will have to adjust their expectations. The future of PlayStation will be significantly shaped by the 120+ funded partner projects and global expansion.
PS and PC are the future, there's no room for a box.