Yes, but if they aquire a second party they're already heavily funding, it's basically a quick exchange of funds to lock up perrmanent exclusivity, plus they'd then being reaping ALL the rewards on whatever games that company sells, as Sony'd be both the developer and publisher.

Buying a second party certainly has its benefits, and it doesn't eat that big of a hole in the wallet.  I mean, Sony are already funding the games anyway.  And you gotta figure, Sony bought Evolution in mid-2007, when their losses were at their highest.

However, if it's some random third party company, then a move like this makes no sense whatsoever.

Who's gaming department is hemorrhaging money.

Most probably don't think this is true.  It's just really damn fun to speculate.  ^_^

I call BS on this "Blog", but since we are on the subject if Sony does not acquire Media Molecule it will be one of their biggest mistakes this gen.

^ why

Indeed.

I'm surprised with the mixed reaction at the prospect of it being Level-5.

In just a few short years, they've released Dark Cloud 1 & 2, DQ VIII, Professor Layton, Jeanne D'Arc as well as others. On the way we have DQ IX, WKC, and two other games that show promise. Ni No Kuni, being developed alongside Studio Ghibli is nothing to balk at and Ushiro for the PSP seems pretty interesting too. Certainly, I don't think they're average.

I can't think of another RPG developer who have had this many good games in a relatively short amount of time, with the exception of Square, of course.

True, their games need a bit of work in the narrative. But hopefully that will be something that comes with expansion and/or collaborations (e.g. Studio Ghibli).

On topic: I don't think anything will even come of this, but as others have said already, it's fun to speculate.

True. I love all three of those devlopers, but I'd have to give the edge to Level-5 here. They have diversity that matches or perhaps even surpasses Atlus' offerings, and haven't been around as long as NIS.

Which developer's games you'd prefer will no doubt differ depending on who'd you would ask, but I must say that I, too, am pleased with all three of their works over the past 7-8 years.

Level 5 is unlikely they're working on New Professor Layton games for the DS