Sony: Industry needs new IP to survive

Sony's senior vice president of Worldwide Studios Europe, Michael Denny, has said that new intellectual property is essential for the games industry to grow and survive.

Speaking at Develop Liverpool today, the exec responsible for overseeing projects such as EyePet and Heavy Rain said that new consumers need new experiences, and without fresh product the games business would stagnate.

"There's been a lot of debate in the trade press about whether we as an industry can afford or should afford the considerable investments necessary to produce, market and support new IP," he told the audience.

"For me the answer is clear, simply, we must support new IP creation to survive as an industry. Consumers crave new things. If we want to stay relevant in an increasingly competitive marketplace, we have to continue to produce new experiences."

One of Sony's most exciting projects is Quantic Dream's Heavy Rain, said Denny, a title that pushes new boundaries in emotion and storytelling in videogames.

"New IP is truly the lifeblood of the industry and Sony's commitment to producing new IP will continue.

"We believe we have a promising line up of exclusive new IPs for the year ahead and one that is particularly special to me and reflects a growth of emotional connection and story-telling, is Heavy Rain."

Denny's comments echo those of Square Enix's Yoichi Wada, who told GamesIndustry.biz last week that without new IP the business would not be viable as an entertainment medium.

Rod Cousens, CEO of Codemasters, also said last week that if the games business does not remain committed to new properties and experiences, it risks driving away consumers to other forms of entertainment.