More are on the way, including a live-action “Horizon Zero Dawn” movie that’s eying a 2027 release, an upcoming movie version of “Ghost of Tsushima” directed by Chad Stahelski, and Amazon’s “God of War” TV series.
Treese says PlayStation games often make the leap to TVs and theater screens because they’re realistic, use motion capture and employ talented actors.
“They do really lend themselves to movies because they definitely led that charge of making more cinematic video game experiences,” he says. It also doesn’t help that Sony Pictures is nearby.
Lempel says PlayStation franchises are finding new audiences in other media because, at base, they’re good entertainment. “We have great stories, we’ve got great IP, and it transcends the category.”
That has even spilled out into fashion — British Nigerian multidisciplinary artist and designer Yinka Ilori has a line of PlayStation-inspired loungewear — and footwear, thanks to rapper Travis Scott’s Nike Dunk Low Cactus Jack X PlayStation sneakers.
“We know that we’ve struck a chord that goes just well beyond a consumer product,” says Lempel. “This is something that people love. It’s a big part of people’s lives and they love to talk about it. They love to express it in different ways.”
Lempel recently got a taste of that expression firsthand. He was at a restaurant in Manhattan when he spotted the PlayStation symbols tattooed on someone’s arm. “These are permanent markings on someone’s body,” he says in wonder. “That’s the passion people have.”
