Sometimes news is surprising, like this strange affair involving Sony/PlayStation and certain derivative products. This seems completely crazy.
We know the importance of derivative products for companies such as Sony with its PlayStation licenses, or even Microsoft, which owns numerous franchises. Often, this type of partnership is a great way to generate revenue by reaching fans. But sometimes everything doesn’t go as planned.
A partnership that turns sour for PlayStation and Gaming Heads
According to reports, Sony has severed ties with Gaming Heads, a company specializing in creating statuettes of PlayStation game characters for collectors. Sony has reportedly ordered Gaming Heads to destroy all existing inventory of PlayStation merchandise, including items in stock, ready to ship to customers, as well as those currently in production…
In an open letter posted on Facebook, Gaming Heads announced that all of their Ellie figures from The Last of Us Part II, Joel and Ellie dioramas from TLOU 2, Sly Cooper Classic Edition statuettes, and busts and figures of Kratos from God of War will now have to be destroyed. Other items currently in production, such as the Ratchet and Clank and Bloodborne statuettes, will also be discontinued. All other non-PlayStation related items, such as their Tomb Raider statues, are unaffected by this decision.
The problem is that the statues that now need to be destroyed include items that customers have already paid for and are waiting to be shipped. Customers affected by this decision are additionally redirected to Judy Ward, the head of commercial partnerships and global licensed merchandise at PlayStation, for any inquiries regarding “orders, payments, refunds, etc.”
Gaming Heads appears to have absolved itself of any responsibility towards its customers, making no mention of refunds from them, simply “sincerely apologizing” for the problems caused. When customers asked additional questions, they were told the company would do “whatever it could” but that Sony would handle refunds. We still do not know the exact reasons for this decision.