As anticipation builds for Sony's summer State of Play event, rumors are swirling that the company is planning to revive several classic franchises from its back catalog, including iconic PS1 titles like WipEout and Ape Escape, as well as the PlayStation 3-era superhero series inFamous. The speculation comes amid the usual pre-summer showcase season, where unconfirmed rumors and wild predictions run rampant.
Summer Showcase Season Approaches
Pre-pandemic, the gaming industry revolved around E3, but even with that event now defunct, major players like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo continue to hold their showcases at roughly the same time of year. Summer Game Fest, the closest equivalent to E3, is scheduled for Friday, June 5. Microsoft's Xbox showcase has been confirmed for Sunday, June 7, while Sony has yet to announce a date, though it is expected to fall in the last week of May. Nintendo typically holds its biggest Nintendo Direct in mid-June, but recent unpredictability makes that uncertain.
Retro Revival Rumors Gain Traction
The notion that Sony is looking to revive unspecified retro franchises has been circulating for some time, with Ape Escape frequently mentioned by name. On the latest VGC podcast, Jordan Middler discussed the possibility of bringing back Ape Escape and noted that 'Chris' (likely Chris Scullion) had been talking about WipEout. Both games originated on the PS1 but struggled to achieve mainstream success after their debut. Sony did attempt remasters for WipEout, but the franchise faced challenges due to its popularity being concentrated in Europe, while largely ignored in the US and Japan.
It appears that Sony's retro ambitions may extend beyond PS1 titles. Multiple reports in recent weeks have suggested a new remaster or release for the inFamous franchise, which began on the PlayStation 3. Middler also referenced this and indicated that original developer Sucker Punch is not involved, as the studio has since found greater success with the Ghost of Tsushima series.
Leaker Confirms Sony's Exploration
While it remains unclear how much of the discussion is wishful thinking versus insider information, the speculation gained credibility when leaker NateTheHate commented on X, stating: 'There is truth to Sony exploring & considering reviving some of their older, unused IPs.' He listed Sly Cooper, Resistance, Legend of Dragoon, MotorStorm, Ape Escape, and inFamous as personal preferences but did not claim specific knowledge of which games Sony is targeting. He noted that Uncharted and Bloodborne are too recent to be considered retro.
NateTheHate is known as one of the most consistently accurate leakers in the industry, though he is careful to emphasize that Sony is only exploring possibilities and has not committed to anything. Whether the company will announce any such projects at its summer showcase remains unknown, but it seems unlikely that anything is close to release.
Potential Benefits for Sony
Reviving older franchises could be a strategic move for Sony, which has faced criticism this generation for a limited number of new first-party games. Retro-inspired remasters and low-budget sequels would be a quicker way to address that issue compared to developing entirely new titles. By leveraging its rich back catalog, Sony could deliver nostalgic content to fans while filling gaps in its release schedule.
As the summer showcase season heats up, gamers will be watching closely to see if these rumors materialize into official announcements. For now, the prospect of revisiting classic franchises like WipEout, Ape Escape, and inFamous offers an exciting glimpse into what Sony might have in store.
