Sony's Costly Confidentiality Blunder: PlayStation Budgets Exposed
Sony accidentally revealed confidential information about its PlayStation business during the FTC v. Microsoft hearing. The document, supplied by PlayStation chief Jim Ryan, included redacted details on revenue sharing with publishers, Call of Duty revenues, and game development costs. The redactions were easily visible when scanned, leading to the information being downloaded by reporters and Sony's competition. The document also revealed that Horizon Forbidden West cost $212 million over five years with 300 employees, and The Last of Us Part II cost $220 million with around 200 employees. Sony shared this information to demonstrate the potential impact if Call of Duty became an Xbox exclusive. Additionally, the document suggested that Call of Duty generated $800 million in revenue for PlayStation in the US in 2021, and potentially $1.5 billion globally. Sony's data also indicated that around half of PS5 owners in the US also own a Nintendo Switch.