Why From Software chose Activision to publish Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

"When From Software knocks on your door and says 'hey, we wanna make a game,' you have only one answer right?"

[Relientk77]

Game looks great you can tell it used to be Tenchu, especially by the grappling hook. Hopefully their next game is a full-on new Tenchu game.

[DarXyde]

Sadly, this is Activision we're talking about. I'm supposing that, if we did get a new Tenchu, it would be more like that disaster Tenchu Z than a real follow up to Fatal Shadows.

[NapalmSanctuary]

I would prefer something that would qualify as a true follow up to Tenchu 2. Nothing after it neither maintained its contribution to the series or built on it like it should have. If they do make a new one, development should be given to Acquire.

[DarXyde]

NapalmSanctuary,

The only point that I'm trying to make is that if they made a Tenchu, Activision would likely choose to go the Tenchu Z route because, as a multiplayer game, it is far easier to monetize and Activision would love that.

I have fond memories of Wrath of Heaven, though the first two are better games. We agree on this. I only use Fatal Shadows as a point of reference because it was the last traditional Tenchu game.

[Lord_Sloth]

I'm confused as to why you would label Tenchu Z as a disaster and not the absolutely horrible Tenchu 4... Z was fun and plenty enjoyable.

[Spurg]

"We know how to take big games to market. We know how to publish and market these games in the Western market, and in the eastern side... so using these resources helps to get the game in as many hands as possible and that's what we're here to do for these guys."

They wanted their franchises to be more popular and I think Activision was the right choice.

[UltraNova]

How much more exposure do they need after claiming(rightfully so) an entire genre for themselves (soulslike) while we are at a point whete anyone wanting to describe a hard game they would most probably make a Soulsborne reference?

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

People that buy a game because it says 'Activision' on the box are not the target audience for a FROM SOFTWARE game. It's a strange pairing that's for sure.

[UltraNova]

Ok guys lets get somethings straight here. Act is by far the bigger publisher with far more marketing cash and reach than NamcoB could ever hope for. They can and most probably will reach more eyes and ears than the former. So in that sense FS made a good choice.

But Act is not your friendly, non-service, monetized game neighbor. In other words they are good at marketing huge MP games and making a shit ton money off them for years.

With that in mind Shekiro is a strictly SP game. What gives? What's Acti's angle here? Are they into SP games now? Better yet what's FS's angle? Will the game have some MT or monetisation feature?

Yes they do publish the occasional SP game, like the Crash remaster but thats an established hugely requested, no risk move.

The reason I cant get this deal is that knowing Activision's history they could have struck some kind of a deal with FS that spans years (see Bungie) so will FS turn to MP games now? What does that mean for the genre, we all came to love(Soulsborne)?

Maybe I'm leaning way to much on this, who knows but history never lies.

[Mystogan]

Remember when bungie said Activision was the right decision?

[Baza]

Very true. Activision is better than EA though!

[Mystogan]

They're really not, Activision is just as dirty as EA ,i'd say maybe even more so, they just seem to get away with It.

[raWfodog]

I think it more a case of not wanting to put all of your eggs (or IPs in this case) in one basket. On both companies parts. FS wanted to expand away from Asia/Japanese publishers and Activision wanted to round out their portfolio of published games.

[Seraphim]

It's always nice to see new IPs & Sekiro looks like another phenomenal game. Although I still hope that someday they stick with that Tenchu concept and capitalize on what the original such an incredible game and instant classic.

[SoulWarrior]

The game looks amazing but I'm still slightly sceptical of Activions involvement, hopefully it won't stuck with an expensive season pass, have microtransactions or any tacked on MP mode.

[AK91]

Money and quite honestly I don't care if this is the case, I just want a good video game.

[frostlatch]

Now it will never go on sale for less than $10 even 10 years down the line lol.

[jon3sy9]

Do we really need those extra 2 levels or can we cut it and sell it as dlc a few month down the line...typical activision

[ShadowWolf712]

Can't wait to see how Activision screws everything up.