Sony acquired Texas-based video game developer Bluepoint Games on Thursday, adding to its growing portfolio of first-party studios. Terms were not disclosed. 

Bluepoint is the studio behind the remake of “Demon’s Souls” for PlayStation 5, which has sold more than 1.4 million copies since its November 2020 release, and the “Metal Gear Solid HD Collection” remake. Now, the studio will have funding to produce original content.

Sony has been aggressively expanding its gaming reach through a series of acquisitions.

• The company acquired Housemarque in June, the studio behind PS5 hit “Returnal.” 
• In July, it bought Netherlands-based Nixxes Software to strengthen PlayStation Studios.
• Earlier this month, it acquired Liverpool-based gaming company Firesprite. 

Microsoft, comparatively, has been quiet on the gaming acquisitions front ever since it finalized its blockbuster $7.5 billion purchase of ZeniMax Media in March. ZeniMax is the parent of Bestheda, which makes hits like “The Elder Scrolls” and “Fallout.”

Sony posted a record operating profit of $2.57 billion in fiscal Q1 — a 15% increase year-over-year — thanks to the PlayStation 5 console, which at 10 million-plus global units since November 2020, makes it the fastest-selling console in Sony’s history.

The company has raised its financial outlook for the year up to $6.4 billion from $6.02 billion.

A little more than a year out from hosting the 2022 World Cup, Qatar had landed another major attraction in global sports. On Thursday, Formula 1 announced a 10-year deal with the country that starts in 2023.

Before the permanent contract begins in two years, Qatar will hold its first F1 race in November at the Losail International Circuit, which has hosted MotoGP races since 2004. 

The country has already spent an estimated $300 billion in preparation for the World Cup, expanding its airport and building a new city, stadium, and metro station. It expects a $20 billion bump to its economy and more than 1.5 million visitors.

Qatar’s F1 commitment arrives in the wake of other several events being canceled.

• The November race will replace the Australian Grand Prix, which was canceled for the second year in a row earlier this year due to increased border controls.
• The Argentine Grand Prix was canceled earlier this month, following Singapore’s and Canada’s decisions to do the same.

Qatar will likely continue to face threats of boycotts as its events draw closer — 59% of U.S. fans say teams should boycott the World Cup due to human rights abuses in the country.

New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson said she wants to keep the teams in New Orleans “forever” — and now has a plan to make that happen.

Benson intends to pass both teams off to one or more owners who will keep them in New Orleans and distribute the sale proceeds to New Orleans charities through a foundation. The arrangement has been approved by the National Football League. 

• The Pelicans’ lease at the Smoothie King Center runs through 2024, and the Saints’ lease at the Caesars Superdome expires in 2025. 
• The Superdome is in the midst of a $450 million renovation. Caesars won the rights to the stadium in a 20-year, $138 million deal in July.
• The Saints are valued at $2.83 billion and the Pelicans at $1.35 billion, per Forbes, the 25th- and 29th-most valuable teams in their respective leagues. 

Benson inherited both teams when her husband Tom Benson passed away in 2018. He had initially planned to pass them on to his three children (from a previous marriage), but changed course in 2015, igniting a caustic legal dispute.

“I am a steward for this [organization],” Benson said. “And we help other people with it. My wish is to scatter all the good and gifts that God and Tom have given me to this city and community.”