Sony May Be Licensing Out Classic IPs Like Sly Cooper and Ape Escape

A new rumor suggests Sony is opening up old PlayStation IPs to external studios, with Sly Cooper, Ape Escape, and Killzone reportedly in the mix.

Sony might be rethinking how it makes first-party games, and honestly, it's about time.

According to industry insider thisiserfan, Sony Interactive Entertainment has started accepting pitches from external developers and is opening up licensing for some of its older IPs. The goal? Let third-party studios build brand-new PlayStation games using those classic franchises.

This isn't just about porting old titles to new hardware. The report says external teams would handle development while PlayStation Studios provides funding and publishing. So even though the actual work is outsourced, the projects still fall under Sony's first-party umbrella.

The IPs reportedly receiving pitches or already in development include Sly Cooper, Ape Escape, and Killzone. If that lineup doesn't hit you right in the nostalgia, I don't know what will.

Killzone specifically has been linked to People Can Fly, the studio behind Bulletstorm. Some of these projects could also get direct oversight or support from the original Sony studios that handled those franchises way back when.

This particular leaker has a bit of a track record. They previously called a 2D God of War project and People Can Fly's involvement with Killzone before either was public. That doesn't make this a done deal, but it's why the community is paying attention. Sony hasn't officially confirmed any licensing plans, so release dates, developers, and even whether these games actually ship are all still up in the air.

Still, the reaction from players has been overwhelmingly positive. Fans are hoping this means Sony will finally revive franchises that have been dormant for years. Beyond Killzone, names like Resistance and Syphon Filter have been thrown around by hopeful commenters. Even Demon's Souls got a mention, though that one already got a remake.

It's easy to see why people are excited. Sony has a massive vault of beloved franchises collecting dust while the company focuses on blockbuster sequels and live-service bets. If this rumor pans out, we could see a future where Sly Cooper sneaks back onto store shelves and Ape Escape makes a proper return.

Of course, rumors are rumors. Nothing is official until Sony says so. But if you've been waiting for a new Killzone or just want to see the old PlayStation magic come back, this is definitely one to keep an eye on.

Which classic Sony IP would you want to see revived the most? Let us know in the comments.