I did write a post before, but thinking about it now I think it's probably best going forward for Sony to focus on expanding the talent within their internal studios. Build the odd new one from the ground up like Pixel Opus, but having long term contracts with the likes of Quantic Dream, Ready at Dawn, Insomniac, etc AAA external studios, without having to shell out a tonne of money to gain outright ownership is probably the most logical financial choice Sony can make right now, or any company really.
Sony can put more money into specific games, rather than just paying a sum of cash for a title.
Sony can of course stipulate they want ownership of IP that is made exclusive for their platforms, Quantic Dream, RAD, Insomniac or whoever can either choose to retain ownership or make it exclusive for Sony.
Provided Sony owns the IP it doesn't make the games any less theirs if any of those developers decide to stay privately owned.
Also as long as Sony continues to treat their external partners with respect, not overstep the mark and be professional those studios aren't going to go anywhere.
Let's be honest, as long as Sony has the market leading console platform such developers will always want to work with them, exclusive or otherwise.
Hell we're still seeing other big legacy companies like Capcom making exclusives for PS4, partners that have a history of only making exclusives for Playstation over the last 10 years or whatever aren't going to all of a sudden change their minds when after only a year and a bit on the market Sony's platform is well ahead of the competition.
IMO Sony should keep this kind of a relationship with studios in a position like Ready at Dawn, leave them as 2nd party, have long standing contracts, invest in the games, gain ownership of IP. It's a good thing for Sony's public image if it doesn't look like they're trying to buy up the industry.
Sony can create new studios internally, smaller guys like Pixel Opus, invest in new talent, fresh out from University, people just starting out, make their own studios.
Of course if Ready at Dawn wants to join Sony then they should be free to do that, but I think it's a better thing financially for any company to invest in building more Intellectual Properties or developing existing ones to give us the best games, invest in the games and leave studios to have external freedom.
