PlayStation Studios explained

PlayStation Studios
Type:Division
Industry:Video games
Hq Location City:San Mateo, California
Key People:Hermen Hulst (CEO, Studio Business Group)
Parent:Sony Interactive Entertainment
Divisions:PlayStation Studios Mobile
Subsid:See
Num Employees:≈4,000[1]
Num Employees Year:2022

PlayStation Studios (formerly SCE Worldwide Studios and SIE Worldwide Studios) is a division of Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) that oversees the video game development at the studios owned by SIE. The division was established as SCE Worldwide Studios in September 2005 and rebranded as PlayStation Studios in 2020.

History

On September 14, 2005, Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE, now known as Sony Interactive Entertainment), the video game arm of Sony, announced the formation of SCE Worldwide Studios earlier that month, combining all studios SCE owned at the time. Phil Harrison was appointed as the division's president.[2] Shuhei Yoshida succeeded him in May 2008.[3] When Yoshida moved to lead the indie game development of SIE, Hermen Hulst, previously of SIE's Guerrilla Games studio, became the president of SIE Worldwide Studios in November 2019.[4] The studios productions are generally supported by the Visual Arts Services Group, founded in 2007 in San Diego.[5]

SIE announced the rebranding of the division to PlayStation Studios in May 2020 as part of the introduction of the PlayStation 5, which was released later that year. PlayStation Studios serves as the publishing brand for Sony's first-party development studios, as well as for games developed by studios brought in by Sony in work-for-hire situations.[6]

In 2022, Sony stated half of its first-party PlayStation Studios games will be on personal computers (PC) and mobile by 2025.[7] In August 2022, SIE announced the formation of the PlayStation Studios Mobile Division, alongside the acquisition of the company's first mobile development team, Savage Game Studios,[8] later renamed Neon Koi.[9]

In February 2024, Sony announced it would eliminate 900 jobs, or 8% of SIE and PlayStation Studios employees. These cuts included the closure of London Studio.[10]

In July 2024, Sony and Bungie announced that as part of restructuring at Bungie, one of the studio's incubation projects would be spun out, with the team behind the game forming a new studio within PlayStation Studios.[11] [12]

Studios

NameLocation/sFoundedAcquiredNotes
Bend StudioBend, Oregon[13] Developer of the Syphon Filter series and Days Gone
Bluepoint GamesAustin, Texas[14] [15] The studio specializes in video game remasters and remakes, such as , Shadow of the Colossus and Demon's Souls
FirespriteLiverpool[16] [17] Developer of virtual reality titles for PlayStation VR and titles outside of PlayStation Studios's main offerings
Manchester
Firewalk StudiosBellevue, Washington[18] Developer of Concord[19]
Guerrilla GamesAmsterdamDeveloper of the Killzone, and Horizon series
Haven StudiosMontreal, Quebec[20] Developer of Fairgame$[21]
HousemarqueHelsinki[22] [23] Developer of Super Stardust HD, Resogun and Returnal
Insomniac GamesBurbank, California[24] Developer of the Ratchet & Clank, Resistance, and Marvel's Spider-Man series
Durham, North Carolina[25]
Malaysia StudioKuala Lumpur[26] —Support for first-party titles, such as The Last of Us Part I and MLB The Show 22[27]
Media MoleculeGuildfordDeveloper of LittleBigPlanet series and Dreams
Naughty DogSanta Monica, CaliforniaDeveloper of Jak and Daxter series, Uncharted series and The Last of Us series
Neon KoiBerlinMobile video game developer, part of PlayStation Studios Mobile
Helsinki
Nixxes SoftwareUtrecht[28] Support studio known for porting games to Microsoft Windows, development support and game optimization
Polyphony DigitalTokyo—Developer of Gran Turismo series
San Diego StudioSan Diego, California—Developer of the MLB: The Show series for multiple platforms
San Mateo StudioSan Mateo, California[29] —Support studio for second-party developers[30]
Santa Monica StudioLos Angeles, California—Developer of God of War series
Sucker Punch ProductionsBellevue, WashingtonDeveloper of Sly Cooper series, Infamous series, and Ghost of Tsushima
Team AsobiTokyo—Developer of The Playroom, Astro Bot Rescue Mission, Astro's Playroom and sequel Astro Bot[31]
Valkyrie EntertainmentSeattle, Washington[32] Support studio for various franchises such as Infamous, God of War and Twisted Metal
XDevLiverpool—Works with external developers with third-party projects, such as Until Dawn, , and Rise of the Ronin[33] [34]
San Mateo, California
Tokyo

Former

NameLocationFoundedAcquiredDivestedFate
Bigbig StudiosLeamington Spa[35] [36] Closed
Evolution StudiosRuncorn[37] Closed
Guerrilla CambridgeCambridge[38] —Closed
Incognito EntertainmentSalt Lake City, Utah[39] [40] Closed
Japan StudioTokyo—[41] Reorganized within SIE, primarily to Team Asobi
London StudioLondon— Closed[42]
Manchester StudioManchester—[43] Closed
PixelopusSan Mateo, California—Closed[44]
Studio LiverpoolLiverpool[45] Closed
Zipper InteractiveRedmond, Washington[46] Closed

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: PlayStation to broaden line-up, but won't abandon roots, studio chief says . . Stephen . Totilo . October 4, 2022 . October 4, 2022 . October 13, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221013100149/https://www.axios.com/2022/10/04/playstation-hermen-hulst-pc-mobile-interview . live .
  2. Web site: Phil Harrison to head up SCE Worldwide Studios for Sony . Choi . Daniel . . September 14, 2005 . August 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080517080930/https://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/sony-finds-harrisons-replacement-in-shuhei-yoshida . May 17, 2008 . dead .
  3. Web site: Sony finds Harrison's replacement in Shuhei Yoshida . Dobson . Jason . . May 16, 2008 . August 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080517080930/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/05/16/sony-finds-harrisons-replacement-in-shuhei-yoshida/ . May 17, 2008 . dead .
  4. News: Favis. Elise. November 7, 2019. Sony appoints Guerrilla Games' Hermen Hulst new head of PlayStation worldwide studios. January 18, 2020. The Washington Post. January 21, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210121221614/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2019/11/07/sony-appoints-guerrilla-games-hermen-hulst-new-head-playstation-worldwide-studios/. live.
  5. Web site: Scullion . Chris . Sony is building a new dev team to work with Visual Arts and Naughty Dog on a 'AAA' title . Video Games Chronicle . 26 October 2022 . October 26, 2022 . October 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221026210703/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sony-is-building-a-new-dev-team-to-work-with-visual-arts-and-naughty-dog-on-a-aaa-title/ . live .
  6. Web site: Dring. Christopher. May 12, 2020. Sony unveils PlayStation Studios brand to launch alongside PS5. May 12, 2020. GamesIndustry.biz. May 12, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200512193023/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-05-12-sony-unveils-playstation-studios-brand-to-launch-alongside-ps5. live.
  7. Web site: Bonthuys . Darryn . May 26, 2022 . Half Of PlayStation Releases Will Be On PC And Mobile By 2025, Sony Says . 2023-03-09 . . en-US . March 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230309211516/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/half-of-playstation-releases-will-be-on-pc-and-mobile-by-2025-sony-says/1100-6503877/ . live .
  8. Web site: Good . Owen S. . August 29, 2022 . Sony spins up PlayStation Mobile division, plans major push to phones . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221015165700/https://www.polygon.com/23326796/playstation-mobile-sony-buys-savage-game-studios . October 15, 2022 . August 30, 2022 . Polygon.
  9. Web site: Tailby . Stephen . 2023-11-21 . PlayStation's Mobile Games Studio Rebrands Following Multiple Departures . 2023-11-21 . Push Square.
  10. News: Gerken . Tom . 2024-02-27 . PlayStation to axe 900 jobs and close London studio . 2024-03-03 . en-GB.
  11. Web site: Destiny 2 dev Bungie laying off 220 devs and handing new game to Sony . 31 July 2024 . 31 July 2024.
  12. The New Path for Bungie . 31 July 2024 . 31 July 2024.
  13. Web site: Guide: All Sony First-Party Studios and What They're Working On . Sammy . Barker . August 28, 2019 . . September 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190929194348/http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2019/08/guide_all_sony_first-party_studios_and_what_theyre_working_on . September 29, 2019 . live.
  14. Web site: Who Is Bluepoint Games? . Mitch . Dyer . January 28, 2014 . . September 30, 2021 . May 13, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210513092338/https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/01/28/who-is-bluepoint-games . live.
  15. Web site: Sony Finally Confirms Acquisition of Demon's Souls PS5 Dev Bluepoint Games . Stephen . Tailby . September 30, 2021 . . September 30, 2021 . September 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210930151315/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2021/09/sony_finally_confirms_acquisition_of_demons_souls_ps5_dev_bluepoint_games . live.
  16. Web site: Sony's Firesprite is moving to an office more than 20 times larger than its current one . Scullion . Chris . . June 10, 2022 . August 30, 2022 . October 15, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221015163609/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sonys-firesprite-is-moving-to-an-office-more-than-20-times-bigger-than-its-current-one/ . live .
  17. News: Why PlayStation is buying Firesprite, one of the UK's fastest growing studios . Gamesindustry.biz . September 8, 2021 . September 8, 2021 . December 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211220135531/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-09-08-why-playstation-is-buying-firesprite-one-of-the-uks-fastest-growing-games-studios . live .
  18. Web site: PlayStation to acquire AAA multiplayer developer Firewalk Studios . 20 April 2023 . 20 April 2023 . April 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230422133918/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/playstation-to-acquire-aaa-multiplayer-developer-firewalk-studios . live .
  19. Web site: Concord is the First Game From Developer Firewalk Studios . 24 May 2023 . 24 May 2023 . May 24, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230524213049/https://www.ign.com/articles/concord-is-the-first-game-from-developer-firewalk-studios . live .
  20. Web site: Jade Raymond's Haven Studio is already inspiring other PlayStation studios - and not just with its game . Dring . Christopher . . July 11, 2022 . August 30, 2022 . October 15, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221015165702/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/jade-raymonds-haven-studio-is-already-inspiring-other-playstation-studios-and-not-just-with-its-game . live .
  21. Web site: Fairgame$ Is the First Game From Jade Raymond's Haven Studios . 24 May 2023 . 24 May 2023 . May 24, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230524213050/https://www.ign.com/articles/fairgame-is-the-first-game-from-jade-raymonds-haven-studios . live .
  22. News: Schreier . Jason . Jason Schreier . Sony Buys Game Developer of PlayStation Bestseller Returnal . June 29, 2021 . . June 29, 2021 . October 5, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211005093032/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-29/sony-buys-game-developer-of-playstation-bestseller-returnal . live .
  23. Web site: Why PlayStation bought Returnal developer Housemarque: the inside story . Robert . Leedham . June 29, 2021 . . June 29, 2021 . June 29, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210629102331/https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/housemarque-sony-playstation-acquisition . live .
  24. Web site: Sony's 2019 acquisition of Insomniac Games priced at $229 million . McAloon . Alissa . . February 10, 2020 . August 30, 2022 . August 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220830000219/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/console/sony-s-2019-acquisition-of-insomniac-games-priced-at-229-million . live .
  25. Web site: In-Depth: Insomniac Talks New North Carolina Studio . Remo . Chris . . June 4, 2008 . August 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150922081216/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/109832/InDepth_Insomniac_Talks_New_North_Carolina_Studio.php . September 22, 2015 . dead .
  26. Web site: November 8, 2019. PlayStation to open development studio in Malaysia.
  27. Web site: October 13, 2022. How PlayStation Studios Malaysia is Playing a Growing Role in Sony's Most Important Franchises.
  28. Web site: Sony Buys Another Game Studio, Avengers And Rise Of The Tomb Raider's Nixxes Software . Eddie . Makuch . July 1, 2021 . July 1, 2021 . . July 1, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210701134923/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-buys-another-game-studio-avengers-and-rise-of-the-tomb-raiders-nixxes-software/1100-6493477/ . live .
  29. Web site: Varela . Ramón . January 16, 2020 . PlayStation: Todos sus estudios y los juegos en desarrollo . PlayStation: All your studios and games in development . March 19, 2021 . Vandal . es . November 24, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211124170043/https://vandal.elespanol.com/reportaje/playstation-todos-sus-estudios-y-los-juegos-en-desarrollo . live .
  30. Web site: PlayStation Studios: Everything we know Sony Worldwide Studios is working on in 2021 for PS5 . Tolbert . Samuel . . December 16, 2021 . January 20, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211225134947/https://www.androidcentral.com/everything-sony-worldwide-studios-working . December 25, 2021 . live .
  31. Web site: May 30, 2024. Astro Bot Sequel Announced For PS5, Coming September 6.
  32. Sony To Acquire Developer Valkyrie Entertainment . Reiner . Andrew . . December 10, 2021 . August 30, 2022 . October 15, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221015162006/https://www.gameinformer.com/2021/12/10/sony-to-acquire-developer-valkyrie-entertainment . dead .
  33. Web site: Guide: All Sony First-Party Studios and What They're Working On . Sammy . Barker . August 28, 2019 . . September 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190929194348/http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2019/08/guide_all_sony_first-party_studios_and_what_theyre_working_on . September 29, 2019 . dead.
  34. Web site: Sony XDEV's Japan Division Assisting with PS5's Rise of the Ronin . Barker . Sammy . . September 19, 2022 . March 18, 2024 .
  35. Web site: Sony shuts down Little Deviants, Pursuit Force dev . Andrew . Yoon . January 10, 2012 . . September 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131123053224/http://www.shacknews.com/article/71918/sony-shuts-down-little-deviants-pursuit-force-dev/ . November 23, 2013 . live.
  36. IN DETAIL: Sony's sixteen first-party studios . . August 2, 2011 . August 30, 2022 . August 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220829234717/https://www.mcvuk.com/development-news/in-detail-sonys-sixteen-first-party-studios/ . live .
  37. Web site: Sony confirms closure of Evolution Studios . James . Brightman . March 22, 2016 . . September 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190926061907/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-03-22-sony-confirms-closure-of-evolution-studio . September 26, 2019 . live.
  38. Web site: Sony shuts down 20-year-old studio in European restructuring . Allegra . Frank . January 12, 2017 . . September 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170608061124/https://www.polygon.com/2017/1/12/14251842/guerrilla-cambridge-closed . June 8, 2017 . live.
  39. Web site: How Moving To Austin Energized Starhawk . Frank . Cifaldi . May 13, 2011 . . September 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190417020226/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/134746/how_moving_to_austin_energized_.php . April 17, 2019 . live.
  40. Web site: Every Game Studio That's Closed Down Since 2006 . Luke . Plunkett . January 16, 2012 . . September 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190602002549/https://kotaku.com/every-game-studio-thats-closed-down-since-2006-5876693 . June 2, 2019 . live.
  41. Web site: Sources: PlayStation is winding down Sony Japan Studio . Andy . Robinson . Alex . Calvin . February 25, 2021 . June 30, 2021 . . February 25, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210225201034/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sources-playstation-is-winding-down-sony-japan-studio/ . live .
  42. Web site: PlayStation London Studio Issues Heartfelt Goodbye After Sony Studio Closure . Yin-Poole . Wesley . . . May 21, 2024 . May 22, 2024 .
  43. Web site: PlayStation to close Manchester VR studio . Christopher . Dring . February 4, 2020 . GamesIndustry.biz . February 4, 2020 . February 4, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200204220921/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-02-04-playstation-to-close-manchester-vr-studio . live .
  44. Web site: Concrete Genie Developer PixelOpus Is Shutting Down . May 5, 2023 . May 5, 2023 . May 12, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230512201012/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2023/05/concrete-genie-developer-pixelopus-is-shutting-down . live .
  45. Web site: WipEout: The rise and fall of Sony Studio Liverpool . Wesley . Yin-Poole . July 21, 2015 . . September 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190914020223/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-03-22-wipeout-the-rise-and-fall-of-sony-studio-liverpool . September 14, 2019 . live.
  46. Web site: Confirmed: Sony Closes Zipper Interactive . Colin . Moriarty . March 31, 2012 . . September 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190820115507/https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/03/30/confirmed-sony-closes-zipper-interactive . August 20, 2019 . live.

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