Sales matter, but there is also intangible brand building based on risk and a cult following.
Rolling out nothing but guaranteed blockbusters based on a proven formula is not the complete package. At least not for me, I’m sure I’m not completely alone.
You must also build a brand based on quality, not solely based on relevancy. If they have nothing, its best to leave it alone until they can get the team to have it done.
I'm also not suggesting even remotely to only roll out "nothing but guaranteed blockbusters", sir nothing is guaranteed in this business, I'm 100% ok with taking risk, it makes sense with new IP, but that is a harder pill to swallow on a existing failure tainted by bad sales.
That following may not be enough and even calling them a "cult" doesn't even help lol Oh a group of people obsessed with a game or IP, that is the rational group of people you are telling me this multibillion dollar company should trust? lolz I kid, i kid
You'll find followings literally for any damn game, but when it comes to business, the numbers must be on our side. I'd rather they sit it out and wait till they have a great idea, cult following be damned lol Plus, Sony is a publisher that already takes great risk with so many odd games and new IP, I think letting go of a already failed IP for something new to take a chance on is better then revisit something already tainted.
Reboots must be done carefully. That cult following would be triggered if they do anything wrong with that IP that they don't agree with. Be like "the dirt on Motorstorm map 2, area 23, ridge 3, 3rd turn was a haze of tortilla...NOT a hue of tawny, LEARN THE FUCKING DIFFERENCE SONY" lol