Tuesday morning Sony announced the acquisition of Housemarque, expanding its suite of PlayStation game studios. In doing so, Sony also appeared to accidentally reveal a Bluepoint Studios acquisition could be in the works, too. The news marks just the latest example of raid expansion between PlayStation and its rival, Xbox. But despite so many game studio acquisitions in recent years, Sony maintains it isn't approaching the matter as if it were an arms race.

Asked if he views the recent acquisitions for both PlayStation and Xbox as an arms race, PlayStation Studios head Herman Hulst says without pause, "No. Not at all." Hulst says, rather, that PlayStation Studios is "very selective" about which studios are made a part of the team. In other words, PlayStation Studios' views toward acquisitions haven't changed and no exceptions are being made in the name of competition. Or, that's at least how PlayStation wants fans to continue viewing the situation.

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Hurst continues from there, further characterizing the expansion of  PlayStation Studios. He describes what Sony is looking for before it acquires a new studio. He lists similar values and creative ambitions as priorities that must be shared. He also mentions the necessity of being able to work with PlayStation's teams to create reciprocal growth. Suffice to say, PlayStation has thoroughly vetted the studios it's acquiring well beyond circumstance.

A list of acquisitions for Sony Interactive Entertainment in recent years provides some context to Hurst's comments. Housmarque is the most recent, with 2019's Insomniac Games purchase prior. The most notable acquisition before the pickup of Insomniac would be Sucker Punch Productions all the way back in 2011. In other words, it's certainly evident that PlayStation has strict expectations. However, it's also true that acquisitions seem to be quickening.

One aspect of Hurst's comments worth an eyebrow raise is whether he's implying something about Xbox's acquisitions at the same time. It's undeniable that Xbox Game Studios has rapidly expanded in recent years. Hurst may believe Xbox has been rushing its acquisitions without proper vetting. There's hardly evidence of that from Xbox's ever-increasing output in recent years, however.

Regardless, if the bigger question is whether fans are seeing a modern-day arms race between PlayStation and Xbox, Hulst's comments aren't likely to clarify the matter. It's clear Xbox is aggressively expanding to increase its game output. It's also true that PlayStation's two (and possible third) acquisitions are more than the company has made in some time. To call it an arms race would probably demand several more such PlayStation acquisitions however, and a renewed focus on putting out more PlayStation games every year. Time will tell, on that front.

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Source: GQ