Sony Pictures International Productions (SPIP) has signed a multi-year agreement with the Film Committee at Media City Qatar to co-finance Arabic-language films from the Middle East and North Africa. Qatar’s Film Committee announced the agreement during its three-day Industry Days event on the fringes of the Doha Film Festival, laying out its ambitions to transform the territory into a major film and TV hub. Sony said the agreement to develop a presence in Qatar, which includes a commitment to global distribution and the co-development and co-production of multiple Arabic-language feature films, underscored its commitment to the region. “The Middle East is one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing regions in entertainment. Sony Pictures has a long history of working in growing markets, and this new agreement in Qatar reflects our commitment to the region as we continue to bring impactful, locally resonant stories to audiences,” said Steven O’Dell, International Marketing & Distribution, Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group. The projects can be original stories or adaptations from Sony’s library and will be managed by a jointly approved local producer, directly benefitting the production ecosystem in Qatar and the wider region. Sony will distribute globally, while the Film Committee and SPIP share approval on all key creative and financial decisions. The agreement also promises the development of a writers’ incubation lab designed to unearth a new generation of writers. “The commitment of Sony Pictures to co-develop and produce Arabic-language films in partnership with the Film Committee reflects the region’s growing prominence in the global film industry and the Global South’s emergence as a true creative force,” said H. E. Hassan Al Thawadi, Chairman of the Film Committee, said: “This partnership underscores our shared belief that exceptional stories can come from anywhere and reach everywhere. It will help elevate a new generation of talented Arabic filmmakers, giving them the platform, resources, and global exposure to share their voices with audiences around the world.”.
https://deadline.com/2025/11/sony-pacts-qatar-film-committee-cofinance-arabic-films-1236626446/
Tag: sony
PS5 Update for November 2025 Being Slammed by Players
Sony rolled out a nifty little PS5 update for November 2025, but it hasn’t gone down well with players, from the looks of it. The update adds a new widget to the Welcome Hub alongside dynamic animated backgrounds (pictured above) that are designed to change with the seasons. The new Welcome Hub widget displays players’ recent game stats, like time spent playing a certain game, sessions played, game progress percentage, trophy progress, etc. These stats were recently added to the PS App as well, the latest version of which now displays your game progress in recently played games. Players were expecting a little more than what they got, it seems. The most common complaint you’ve guessed it is the lack of proper UI-wide dynamic themes that we grew to love on the PS4. Players are also complaining about the lack of useful features, like folders. “I just want the folders back,” wrote one player. “I don’t even care about themes or specialized backgrounds of games anymore.” Dozens agreed. I think it’s safe to say that dynamic themes aren’t coming back, at least not on the PS5. We hope, however, that PS6 brings back some of the beloved PS4 personalization and social features.
https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2025/11/20/ps5-welcome-hub-update-november-2025-slammed/
Sony CFO Lin Tao says Destiny 2 has not reached expectations
It’s been a tumultuous period for Destiny 2 maker Bungie since the studio was acquired by Sony. New financial data now reveals that this acquisition has had a notable impact on Sony’s finances.
Sony recorded an impairment loss related to a portion of its Bungie assets. Specifically, the company took a 31.5 billion yen ($204 million USD) loss connected to Destiny 2, as disclosed in Sony’s Q2 2025 earnings report published last night. This significant write-down signals that the popular live service game has not been performing as well as Sony initially anticipated.
Sony’s CFO, Lin Tao, further confirmed these concerns during a subsequent Q&A session, as reported by Eurogamer. He explained that, partially due to changes in the competitive environment, both sales and user engagement for Destiny 2 have fallen short of the expectations set at the time Sony acquired Bungie.
The news underscores the challenges facing Destiny 2 and reflects the broader complexities involved in managing and growing live service games within a highly competitive market.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146780/sony-destiny-2-not-reaching-expectations
Ghost of Yotei has sold 3.3 million units in a month
Players have flocked back to the Ghost series in droves, and Sony’s latest release is proving to be a massive hit. The sequel to *Ghost of Tsushima*, *Ghost of Yotei*, has sold more than three million units in just a single month.
On November 10, 2025, Sony released its Q2 FY2025 earnings report, highlighting the remarkable success of *Ghost of Yotei*. The game sold 3.3 million units in the 32 days following its release, a strong indication of its popularity among gamers.
For some context, the original *Ghost of Tsushima* launched on July 17, 2020, and by November 11 of the same year, it had sold 5 million units. It’s worth noting that by that time, the PlayStation 4 had been on the market for seven years, whereas the PlayStation 5 has been available for five years as of this month.
The Q2 FY2025 report also revealed that the PlayStation 5 has reached a lifetime sales figure of 84.2 million units, further solidifying Sony’s position in the console market.
*Ghost of Yotei* has been met with high praise from critics and players alike. Contributing Guides Editor Aidan O’Brien shared in his review, “*Ghost of Yotei* is probably my favorite example of an open-world game, avoiding the trap of getting players lost in busy work as a sort of time gate, and instead building a world that you simply want to engage with.”
With its impressive sales and critical acclaim, *Ghost of Yotei* is clearly striking a chord with both longtime fans and newcomers to the Ghost series.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146769/ghost-of-yotei-3-3-million-units-sold
PlayStation Portal now lets you stream your own digital games to the handheld without a PS5, but you still need to have the most expensive version of PS Plus to do so
Sony has announced a new update for the PlayStation Portal, bringing a range of exciting features designed to enhance the handheld gaming experience.
One of the most notable additions is the expansion of cloud streaming to include your personal game library. Previously, players could stream games from the PS Plus Game Catalog and Classics Catalog, but with this update, you’ll be able to stream your own digital PS5 games directly on the PlayStation Portal. Sony highlights that “thousands of PS5 games support” cloud streaming, naming popular titles like Astro Bot, Borderlands 4, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and Ghost of Yotei as examples. However, not every game is available; for instance, John Fart: Text-iverse of Craziness does not appear on the supported list.
It’s important to note that even with this expanded streaming capability, a PS Plus Premium subscription is required to stream your own games through the cloud. For those without the premium tier, using Remote Play—Sony’s original streaming feature—might still be the better option.
This update also introduces a redesigned user interface tailored to the platform’s current capabilities. The new UI features three main tabs: “Remote Play,” “Cloud Streaming,” and “Search,” making navigation simpler and more intuitive.
In addition to streaming improvements, several new features have been added to the PlayStation Portal:
– **3D Audio Support:** Enhances spatial sound for a more immersive gaming experience.
– **Password Lock:** Adds an extra layer of security to your device.
– **In-Game Purchases:** Allows you to buy content without leaving your game.
– **New Accessibility Options:** Improves usability for a wider range of players.
This update marks a significant step in evolving the PlayStation Portal from a device primarily for remote streaming to a more versatile handheld gaming companion. Keep an eye out for the rollout and enjoy the enhanced functionality it brings.
https://www.gamesradar.com/platforms/playstation/playstation-portal-now-lets-you-stream-your-own-digital-games-to-the-handheld-without-a-ps5-but-you-still-need-to-have-the-most-expensive-version-of-ps-plus-to-do-so/