[Discussion] Sony Eyes Handheld Comeback Amid PlayStation and Anime Expansion

Sony's Potential Entrance into Handheld Gaming Space

Known for their dominance in the handheld gaming realm, Nintendo stands unchallenged, while tech giants like Sony and Microsoft express keen interest. Microsoft's Phil Spencer broke the news of an in-progress Xbox handheld console earlier in November. Additional reports suggest Sony is also making considerable strides to develop their handheld console in an effort to bring its PlayStation experience to consumers’ palms. Such a device remains ambitious - its aim is to run PlayStation 5 games.

Present Status: Early Stages for Sony's Proposed Project

However, Sony's handheld console venture is in its nascent stages and might take several years to come to fruition. Given the infancy of the project, there's a possibility that Sony might decide to retract from the proposed console development plans.

Tracking PlayStation 5's Successful Performance

In its journey to enhance PlayStation's footprint in the market, Sony has witnessed an accelerated pace of PlayStation 5 sales. As of the end of last year, more than 50 million units of the PlayStation 5 console had been sold globally, making it Sony’s fastest-selling console to date. The success tale doesn't end here; the PlayStation 5 Pro, launched on November 7, facilitated Sony's impressive performance.

Sony's Expansion Drive: Beyond Gaming

Sony isn't solely focused on augmenting their PlayStation presence; it’s also diversifying its ventures into other realms, including the anime sector. Over recent years, Sony has acquired numerous entities, including Funimation, Crunchyroll, and Right Stuf. Another major player, Kadokawa, a conglomerate renowned for its manga and anime contributions, is potentially on Sony's acquisition radar.

Sony's interest in acquiring Kadokawa initially remained unconfirmed by both parties. However, last week Kadokawa confirmed Sony's approach concerning the acquisition of its shares. Despite the acknowledgment, Kadokawa maintained that no decision had been finalized at present, promising to make further announcements should any decisive steps be taken.

Looking Ahead: Potential Acquisition within Weeks, Handheld Console to Follow

If Sony proceeds with the Kadokawa acquisition, the deal could potentially be closed in the forthcoming weeks. On the other hand, the proposed handheld console might take considerably more time to materialize, depending on Sony's decision to continue development.

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