Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is broadening the China Hero Project to provide greater support for game developers in China. Reuters reports on this move, noting that Sony plans to invest about one million yuan in each project selected by the jury, signaling a strong commitment to local talent and regional growth.
The expansion aims to strengthen Sony’s presence in the Chinese market by highlighting console gaming and nurturing new studios that can compete on a global stage. The push also aligns with Sony’s broader competition with Microsoft, which has pursued similar expansion into Asia and key publishing acquisitions as part of its own strategic growth.
Launched in 2017, the China Hero Project faced a pause in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the initial stages, the program supported 17 games across its first two seasons, with seven titles ultimately reaching release. The reimagined third season is set to broaden its scope significantly, inviting more developers and an expanded slate of projects for consideration.
Agency remarks from Bao Bo, who leads development efforts for Sony in China, indicate a broader ambition for the program. The third season will likely feature a wider range of genres, teams, and production stages, providing deeper resources to assist developers through funding, mentorship, and access to Sony’s global publishing network.
Among the updates announced during the third phase is Sony acting as publisher for two previously selected titles, Lost Soul Aside and Convallaria. This shift underscores Sony’s ongoing role as a facilitator for independent studios to reach international audiences while leveraging Sony’s distribution capabilities and market reach.
Market data shared by SIE indicates strong traction in China for PlayStation devices, with millions of PlayStation 4 consoles already sold in the country. Sony also expresses confidence in growth potential for the PlayStation 5, aiming to surpass the prior generation with increased sales momentum as the platform matures and local game development accelerates.
The broader strategic context involves competition with Microsoft, which has likewise intensified its Asia-focused efforts and publisher partnerships. Sony’s China Hero Project represents a targeted approach to nurturing homegrown talent, accelerating the development cycle, and expanding the ecosystem for PlayStation hardware and software within one of the world’s largest gaming markets. The program reflects a long-term plan to foster innovation, quality, and commercial viability for games that can resonate with both Chinese audiences and international players.