Sony reportedly forced manufacturer to destroy licensed PlayStation figurines

Gaming Heads is a company that produces video game figurines, with iconic brand characters featured in its catalog. Collectors can still order Halo, Tomb Raider, Mass Effect, and DOOM figures, but they will no longer be buying statues related to PlayStation products.

Gaming Heads has worked closely with PlayStation, but suddenly plans have changed, and the partnership will be terminated. According to company representatives, Sony ordered the destruction of all figurines associated with PlayStation brands. The list includes figures of Joel and Ellie from The Last of Us, Sly Cooper, Kratos, and others.

The details will likely remain undisclosed for now, but Sony is demanding that Gaming Heads scrap even manufactured and paid-for figurines. The company published an open letter to gamers explaining what happened:

«On The Last of Us Day [celebrated on September 26], we regret to inform you and the entire SONY PlayStation collector community that SONY has ordered us to destroy all SONY PlayStation merchandise, including items already in stock (e.g., The Last of Us Part II: Ellie, Jak 3, God of War, etc.), ready to ship (e.g., Sly Cooper (Classic Edition)), in production (e.g., The Last of Us: Ellie and Joel diorama), as well as in development and ready for release (e.g., Bloodborne and Ratchet & Clank). This includes the destruction of items you have paid for and are waiting to be shipped.»

Gaming Heads has partnered with PlayStation for over 10 years:

«They know that you have paid your hard-earned money for products that are ready to ship or in production, but unfortunately, after we did everything we could, they told us not to ship your orders — "our business priorities will remain the same" (the latter is a direct quote from SONY). Yes, this is a SONY PlayStation decision, not ours. Yes, we would like to send you the Jak 3, TLOU2 Ellie, TLOU Ellie & Joel, Sly Cooper, and Kratos statues/busts, but SONY PlayStation will not allow it.»

The company points out that the Japanese manufacturer and publisher has already received license revenue, but is blocking the fulfillment of orders and the dispatch of items to customers:

«Yes, SONY PlayStation has already received royalties for the orders that it now wants destroyed and not shipped to you.»

The figure makers do not intend to refund the money for the transactions and are asking affected customers to contact Sony and demand refunds from the Japanese corporation:

«We sincerely apologize if you find yourself in this situation, but please contact Judy Ward (Commercial Partnership | Sony Interactive Entertainment) at Judy.Ward@sony.com regarding your (now cancelled) order, payment, refund, etc., and their contents. This is the very same SONY PlayStation team that demanded the destruction of the items you ordered and paid for, for which SONY PlayStation has already received royalties from you, but is now not allowing us to ship your orders to you.»

The company reported that it survived the pandemic, factory shutdowns, and many other difficulties, but must accept the new reality. 

«Sony's decision will not change — even if it harms the PlayStation collector community.»

It is worth noting that Gaming Heads figurines are not the cheapest — The Last of Us piece featuring Joel and Ellie costs $549.99.

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