We’re tracking a fresh rumour that, if true, could see Sony attempting to dust off several dormant PlayStation mascots. Per Game Rant, a trusted leaker has allegedly told the outlet that Sony is accepting pitches for revivals of classic franchises including Ape Escape, Killzone, and Sly Cooper. Take this with a pinch of salt — but it’s the kind of whisper that would excite long-time PlayStation fans.
What Was Reported
According to Game Rant, the core of the rumour is that Sony may be actively fielding external offers to bring back several of its older series. The report claims Sony is accepting pitches for the return of franchises and could be looking to licence and publish those projects with new developers.
The specific franchises named in the report are:
- Ape Escape — last new release cited as the PS3-era PlayStation Move Ape Escape, with the main-series title Ape Escape 3 referenced as an older entry.
- Killzone — the report points to Killzone Shadow Fall as the series’ most recent entry noted by the source.
- Sly Cooper — the rumour recalls Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time and the mobile spin-off Bentley's Hackpack as prior entries.
Per Game Rant, the leaker also allegedly provided a timeframe for a campaign of revivals, suggesting the first wave could launch around the release of the PlayStation 6.
The Source & Credibility
Game Rant published the report under author Michael Brandon Ingram on Oct 4, 2026. The piece cites a “trusted Sony leaker” as the origin of the claims. We view that phrasing as meaningful — it signals the report is based on a single leak rather than an official Sony announcement, so the usual scepticism applies.
Previous rumours have also named Ape Escape and Killzone as potential revival targets, and the new claim that Sony is open to external pitches echoes that line of whispering. If you want to read related rumouring about Sony’s willingness to take pitches tied to the PS6 window, see our earlier coverage on Sony Is Open To Pitches For Dormant Franchises. For context on chatter specifically around Killzone, there’s also the rumour that it could return as a remake or remaster: Killzone Could Return As A Remake Or Remaster.
Bottom line: the claim is sourced to a leaker and reported by Game Rant. That’s not confirmation. Treat this as an intriguing tip rather than a press release.
What It Could Mean
If Sony really is seeking pitches, there are a few practical implications to consider — all inferred only from the facts presented in the report.
- Third-Party or Outsider Devs: The report suggests Sony would license and publish revival projects with different studios rather than reunite every original team. That would make sense given how many original developers have moved on.
- Original Developers Have Shifted Focus: The report notes examples of studios that no longer sit on their old franchises. It highlights Sucker Punch Productions shifting to Ghost of Tsushima and its sequel Ghost of Yotei, and that Japan Studio was merged into Team Asobi in 2021. The piece also mentions Guerrilla Games and the success of Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West to underline that original teams may be occupied.
- Nostalgia-Led Strategy: Reviving multiple PS2/PS3-era mascots — as the report claims — would represent a targeted nostalgia push. If Sony is indeed preparing a “first wave” around the PlayStation 6, that would indicate a larger strategic intent rather than one-off remakes.
Again, these are logical readings of the facts presented. The report itself does not confirm which studios would handle any revival or provide development specifics.
Why This Matters
For fans of older PlayStation series, the very idea that Sony is allegedly entertaining revival pitches is newsworthy. If true, it could open the door to modern reinterpretations of beloved franchises without requiring original developers to return. That could mean fresh takes on Ape Escape, Killzone, and Sly Cooper — or it could mean nothing comes of the talks. Either way, the story matters because it speaks to how Sony might be planning to steward legacy IP as it moves toward the next hardware era.
We’ll keep digging and will report any official confirmations or further details as they appear. For now, treat the claims as an intriguing leak: promising on paper, but unconfirmed in practice.
