An insider with a solid reputation has revealed that PlayStation is supposedly bringing back a select few of its classic first-party franchises. This intriguing bit of news emerged just a week after Hermen Hulst, PlayStation’s CEO, mentioned—albeit in vague terms—that the company is always on the lookout for opportunities to revisit its older game titles.
As it stands, PlayStation boasts an extensive archive of game franchises, many of which haven’t seen the light of day for ages. In recent times, there has been a rising demand from fans urging the company to dust off and revamp some of these beloved classics. The huge success of Astro Bot highlighted this even more, as this 3D platformer captivated fans with its nearly 200 themed appearances from famous PlayStation characters. Additionally, the introduction of the classics catalog for PS Plus Premium subscribers has fueled the appetite for the return of nostalgic PlayStation titles.
Thankfully, it appears that Sony has been heeding these fan requests, as it’s been confirmed that PlayStation is in the process of reviving certain legacy franchises. While this was indeed welcome news, the lack of details left some enthusiasts skeptical, pondering if it was just a general PR move without much substance. However, Andy Robinson, a recognized insider, alleviated some of these doubts during the latest episode of VGC: The Video Game Podcast. He confidently mentioned that he is aware of “at least a couple” of such classic revivals currently underway at PlayStation.
Robinson refrained from divulging more specifics concerning these potential revivals but characterized them as “deep cut, old IP stuff.” He hinted these projects might be more modest compared to PlayStation’s typical big-budget endeavors. This insight might rule out a comeback for some of the more prominent but dormant PlayStation franchises like Killzone, Infamous, Resistance, Sly Cooper, Jak and Daxter, among others. Instead, it could mean lesser-known titles such as The Getaway, Starhawk, Tokyo Jungle, The Legend of Dragoon, MAG, Heavenly Sword, Wild Arms, etc., are set for a revival in the foreseeable future.
What remains to be uncovered is whether these old favorites will reappear as remasters, remakes, reimaginings, or direct sequels. An interesting point to consider is whether PlayStation will handle these revivals internally or collaborate with external developers. There is precedent for the latter approach, as seen with the upcoming Freedom Wars remaster developed by Dimps and published by Bandai Namco, despite Sony owning the Freedom Wars intellectual property.
In conclusion, the excitement continues to build as fans eagerly await the official announcements regarding which classic franchises will make a comeback, and in what form they’ll be resurrected. Whether handled in-house or by external studios, these potential revivals are sure to spark a wave of nostalgia among long-time PlayStation followers.
