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[jackissocool]

Currently Sony has a very impressive crop of studios. Below is a brief summary of the current crop of studios.

SCE Japan Studio: Makers of Ape Escape, Patapon, Locoroco, Puppeteer, Soul Sacrifice, and a million other games. Also home to Team Ico and Team Siren/Gravity. Officially founded in 1997, but has its roots in developers like Exact Co. (Jumping Flash!). Pretty huge, puts out tons of games. gas an external development branch to help produce such a large quantity of games. Known for creative, out there games. Making like a dozen games, including Soul Sacrifice Delta + 2, Gravity Rush 2, The Last Guardian, Freedom Wars, and a rumoured major JRPG for PS4.

Polyphony Digital: Spun off of Japan Studio in 1998. Makers of Gran Turismo. Will continue to work on Gran Turismo for the foreseeable future.

Naughty Dog: Founded in 1984, labored in obscurity and mediocrity for a decade. Then they made Crash Bandicoot. They followed that up with Jak and Daxter, Uncharted and The Last of Us. Known for insane, mind blowing tech skill and story driven games. Creating Uncharted 4 for PS4 and brain storming their next game.

SCE Santa Monica Studio: Founded in 1999. Made the now forgotten Kinetica as a PS1 launch game and then followed that up with the enormous God of War franchise. Has a hefty external development team that helped create games like Journey, Sound Shapes, Twisted Metal 2012, and PS All-Stars. Like Naughty Dog, known for crazy tech skill. Working on quite a few ex dev games and 2-3 other internally developed games, at least one of which is a new IP.

SCE San Diego Studio: Founded in 2001. Known mostly for their sports games, particularly The Show. Occasionally does external development and creates games like the portable Modnation Racers. About to release The Show 14 foot all PlayStation systems. Will continue to release The Show.

Sucker Punch: Founded in 1997. Known for creating Sly Cooper and inFamous. Acquired by Sony after inFamous 2. Small studio, probably single team. About to release inFamous: Second Son. Rumored to be working on a new IP next.

Bend: Founded in 1994. Created Syphon Filter. Best known for their excellent third person shooters on PSP and Vita. Been silent for a while now. Working on a PS4 game with creatures and vehicles, possibly also working on a Vita game.

SCE Foster Studio: Internal development support. does not assist external development or create its own games.

Media Molecule: Founded in 2008 and acquired in 2010. Creates incredibly creative and family friendly games. Small studio known for LittleBigPlanet and Tearaway. Working in a PS4 game.

SCE London Studio Formed from the merger of Psygnosis Camden and Team Soho in 2002. Recently been making casual experiences like SingStar and Home, but has a varied history. Working on a new PS4 IP that features vehicles.

Guerrilla Games: Creators of Killzone, one of Sony's longest running active franchises. Founded in 2000 and acquired in 2005. Alongside Naughty Dog and SSM, known for some absolutely insane graphics and technical skill. Currently working on a new IP, their first non-Killzone game in a decade, rumoured to be a WRPG.


Guerrilla Cambridge: Founded in 1997 as SCE Cambridge Studio. Has made an eclectic range of games but is best known for MediEvil and Killzone Mercenary. Likely working on a PS4 game.

Evolution: Founded in 1999 and acquired in 2006. Best known for Motorstorm. Working in the delayed but anticipated Driveclub for PS4. Houses many former Studio Liverpool members.

SCE ExDev: An external development team that acts as the European equivalent of Studio Japan and SSM but without internally developed games.

Former studios (notable games; year of closure). Get ready for some tears.

Psygnosis (WipEout, Colony Wars, Rollcage, F1; 2012), BigBig (Pursuit Force; 2012), Incognito (War of the Monsters, Twisted Metal, Warhawk; 2009), Zipper (SOCOM, MAG; 2012), 989 Studios (absorbed into other Sony teams)

Ok, so that's the story until now. What I want to now is where Gaf things they'll go in terms of studios. I'm not talking about what games they'll be making. I'm taking about who will be making them. What teams will they acquire and who's in danger of closing? Personally I think with the massive success of the PS4 (so far) Sony will feel comfortable buying some new studios soon. Typically they buy a studio that has put out a few exclusive games already, with Guerrilla being the only exception. Here's a short list of potential purchases.

Ready at Dawn: I think everyone sees this coming. If The Order is successful and RaD is willing, I'd expect to see them purchased sometime next year. They have put out 3 exclusives that were all well received. The Order is their first IP, Sony owns it, and they have a very friendly relationship with Sony and its studios, particularly Naughty Dog and SSM.

Housemarque: Creators of Super Stardust, Resogun, and Dead Nation. The masters of twin stick shooters with a number of Sony owned IPs. I think aside from RaD they're the most likely single purchase for a studio.

Sanzaru: I would've said they were a likely bet but now they seem to be locked into the new Sonic Boom series, so they'll probably just remain a second party studio akin to Insomniac for now.

Futurlab and Fun Bits: I see these both as potential distant future acquisitions. Futurlab in particular is an up and coming developer to keep an eye with a strong relationship with Sony.

So what do you think? Please comment on my thoughts and provide potential studios you think could be acquired or closed.

 

[Canis lupus]

They're in a really good position. Wish they had dedicated studios for handheld games/ports. Naughty Dog needs a 3rd team so we can possibly get a ND game (with 3 year cycles) every year.

 

[FlyStarJay]

They're in a really good position. Wish they had dedicated studios for handheld games/ports.

Maybe they should acquire Bluepoint

 

[silver.tongue]

Ready at Dawn: I think everyone sees this coming. If The Order is successful and RaD is willing, I'd expect to see them purchased sometime next year. They have put out 3 exclusives that were all well received. The Order is their first IP, Sony owns it, and they have a very friendly relationship with Sony and its studios, particularly Naughty Dog and SSM.

Housemarque: Creators of Super Stardust, Resogun, and Dead Nation. The masters of twin stick shooters with a number of Sony owned IPs. I think aside from RaD they're the most likely single purchase for a studio.

Sanzaru: I would've said they were a likely bet but now they seem to be locked into the new Sonic Boom series, so they'll probably just remain a second party studio akin to Insomniac for now.

Futurlab and Fun Bits: I see these both as potential distant future acquisitions. Futurlab in particular is an up and coming developer to keep an eye with a strong relationship with Sony.

So what do you think? Please comment on my thoughts and provide potential studios you think could be acquired or closed.

I think Housemarque makes sense and it's going to happen.

RAD might happen too, but it may depend on results from The Order.

People seem to have forgotten about Quantic Dream though. As far as I know, that aquisition might still happen.

 

[Monty Mole]

The silence is killing me. Amazing to think we know nothing outside of Infamous, The Order and Uncharted. And as for the latter, we haven't seen a snippet.

People seem to have forgotten about Quantic Dream though. As far as I know, that aquisition might still happen.

Beyond: Two Souls was a disaster, both critically and commercially. I doubt a purchase would go down too well with investors, and I'd imagine they'll wait to see how the next project goes before making any decisions there.

 

[Corpsepyre]

If there is ONE studio they need to acquire, and acquire fast, it's Ready At Dawn. Has all the makings of a AAA first party studio.

 

[silver.tongue]

Maybe they should acquire Bluepoint

Bluepoint specializes in "Ports". They don't make games. They port and upgrade.
Their only original games was Blast Factor, which was good but not great.

2006 Blast Factor Shooter PlayStation 3
2009 God of War Collection Action-adventure PlayStation 3
2011 The Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection Action-adventure PlayStation 3
2011 Metal Gear Solid HD Collection Stealth, Action PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2012 PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale Fighting, Action PlayStation Vita
2013 Flower Adventure game PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita
2014 Titanfall First-person shooter Xbox 360

 

[jackissocool]

I think Housemarque makes sense and it's going to happen.

RAD might happen too, but it may depend on results from The Order.

People seem to have forgotten about Quantic Dream though. As far as I know, that aquisition might still happen.

Damn, I totally forgot Quantic Dream! I don't think they'll be acquired because I'm pretty sure they'd said they like the relationship exactly how it is. Exclusive deals and games punished by Sony but still an independent studio.

 

[plasmawave]

Patapon for the Vita sounds like a no brainer.
Or maybe even with the PS4 using the touch pad.

 

[boinx]

You forgot Quantic Dream. They got a PS4 game coming.

 

[Hoo-doo]

Ready at Dawn is begging to get scooped up. They want that Naughty Dog™ treatment.

 

[wapplew]

Open a studio in Montreal just like every publisher.

 

[BlackBuzzard]

Future of WWS, there is none didnt you hear? They all got shutdown, Sony is 100% focusing on indie games.

 

[Dragonborn]

Quantic Dreams and Ready at Dawn should be the next acquisitions Sony goes after, (my guess is they'll do it depending on how the Order performs and QDs PS4 games).

It's crazy how many great studios Sony has and how little we know. Once they start showing off the games, it's going to get real good. Can't believe there's some that actually doubt that Sony will deliver. It's just a matter of time and right now, there's no rush.

 

[Caronte]

Sucker Punch: Founded in 1997. Known for creating Sly Cooper and inFamous. Acquired by Sony after inFamous 2. Small studio, probably single team. About to release inFamous: Second Son. Rumored to be working on a new IP next.

Source for this?

I think they should buy some Japanese studios to make RPGs or Survival Horror games. They have plenty of western studios already.

 

[jiggle]

something major need to be done on sceja

 

[Hoo-doo]

I think once Guerrilla Games manages to claw itself from the tired FPS ghetto, they can create some incredible games.

I expect their rumored adventure/RPG title to blow the doors off. Talented bunch.

 

[Bisonian]

SCE Santa Monica Studio: Founded in 1999. Made the now forgotten Kinetica as a PS1 launch game

So forgotten I guess, that it was neither a PS1 nor a launch game (for PS2). Heh.

Also, while I'm nitpicking (sorry!), how about a little love for Sony San Diego's Mark of Kri (they didn't do the sequel though). A flawed game with a ton of potential that brought a lot of great new ideas to the table.

 

[Giant Panda]

Acquiring QD would be a mistake I feel. They make expensive games and they sometimes aren't that great.

 

[Nestunt]

They're in a really good position. Wish they had dedicated studios for handheld games/ports. Naughty Dog needs a 3rd team so we can possibly get a ND game (with 3 year cycles) every year.

I would love that but you dont want to dilute talent that way (disperse is also a great word)

they need focus in order to deliver what we all want, and that takes time

rome was not built in....

 

[Freeman]

Sony should buy Take Two if PS4 is a huge success. They are probably the cheaper big publisher.

I don't see why they would need to buy studios like QD, RaD. Their current partnership seams mutually beneficial.

 

[SniperHunter]

They need to get rid of GG and Quantic Dream if their next projects fail

 

[Kintaro]

Their future is "AAA" and downloadables. Nothing else. Pretty sure Yoshida or Kaz confirmed this himself.

 

[SwiftDeath]

I don't know who but someone should buy Platinum. I worry like hell about that studio

 

[Deleted member 80556]

Beyond: Two Souls was a disaster, both critically and commercially. I doubt a purchase would go down too well with investors, and I'd imagine they'll wait to see how the next project goes before making any decisions there.

God damn, that's some hyperbole right there.

 

[LegendofDragoonLives]

The silence is killing me. Amazing to think we know nothing outside of Infamous, The Order and Uncharted. And as for the latter, we haven't seen a snippet.

Beyond: Two Souls was a disaster, both critically and commercially. I doubt a purchase would go down too well with investors, and I'd imagine they'll wait to see how the next project goes before making any decisions there.

It sold over a million copies already and looks to its way to hit 1.5 million when it's all said and done. Didn't Heavy rain sell 2 mill and 1 mill used (which they get no money from and made over 100 million for Sony? Beyond cost barely 10 million over HR, I doubt it bombed financially unless Sony dropped too much on marketing.

I have no idea why Sony haven't bought Quantic Dream or Housemarquee yet, especially the latter. RAD is also another one that I can see them buying if 1886 is successful.

 

[MercuryLS]

Sony's first party output this gen is going to be pretty amazing. They have so many great teams working for them.

 

[DBT85]

Source for this?

I think they should buy some Japanese studios to make RPGs or Survival Horror games. They have plenty of western studios already.

No such thing as having too many studios provided they all make games that sell or are at least good.

I like to think that Sony would also go after the smaller studios that have made great smaller games like Drinkbox or FuturLab or Pixeljunk or Housemarque. I just don't think it'll happen.

We need less studios focused on huge ass games.

 

[Kintaro]

I don't know who but someone should buy Platinum. I worry like hell about that studio

A company must be willing to be bought. Something tells me that gang of beautiful misfits don't really care for that.

 

[Melchiah]

SCE London Studio Formed from the merger of Psygnosis Camden and Team Soho in 2002. Recently been making casual experiences like SingStar and Home, but has a varied history. Working on a new PS4 IP that features vehicles.

Be still my beating heart.

 

[jackissocool]

No such thing as having too many studios provided they all make games that sell or are at least good.

I like to think that Sony would also go after the smaller studios that have made great smaller games like Drinkbox or FuturLab or Pixeljunk. I just don't think it'll happen.

Drinkbox has made two Sony funded games but their big one (Guacamelee) went multi plat as soon as it could. I don't think they have much PlayStation loyalty and would rather not be bought. Q-Games (PixelJunk) has stopped making PlayStation games. Futurlab, on the other hand, is consistently putting out a few great PS exclusives a year and are sort of a flagship indie developer for the Vita. I could see them being a purchase in 5 or 6 years once they're budgets have grown and they're putting out bigger games as long as they remain super high quality and mostly exclusive.

 

[jiggle]

I have no idea why Sony haven't bought Quantic Dream or Housemarquee yet, especially the latter. RAD is also another one that I can see them buying if 1886 is successful.

sometimes they don't want to be sold
like thatgamecompany and rad
it's not like Sony can afford to facebook them

Q-Games (PixelJunk) has stopped making PlayStation games.

I wonder what happened here
they went from such big supporter, even contributing to the OS, to total abandonment

 

[EGOMON]

One thing i need from Sony is to make a small team their solely purpose is to localize popular and successful Japanese games that has no plans to be released on the west.

 

[FlyStarJay]

Bluepoint specializes in "Ports". They don't make games. They port and upgrade.
Their only original games was Blast Factor, which was good but not great.

2006 Blast Factor Shooter PlayStation 3
2009 God of War Collection Action-adventure PlayStation 3
2011 The Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection Action-adventure PlayStation 3
2011 Metal Gear Solid HD Collection Stealth, Action PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
2012 PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale Fighting, Action PlayStation Vita
2013 Flower Adventure game PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita
2014 Titanfall First-person shooter Xbox 360

yea that was my point, to port games for sony

 

[jackissocool]

One thing i need from Sony is to make a small team their solely purpose is to localize popular and successful Japanese games that has no plans to be released on the west.

They have that. Third Party Productions. It's new.

 

[Man]

I'm wondering why they haven't opened a studio in Montreal/Vancouver yet. The amount of talent there is crazy.

 

[noobasuar]

Sony should buy Take Two if PS4 is a huge success. They are probably the cheaper big publisher.

I don't see why they would need to buy studios like QD, RaD. Their current partnership seams mutually beneficial.

Lol at Sony having the money to buy Take Two.

Never happening.

 

[Monty Mole]

God damn, that's some hyperbole right there.

On what planet was it not a disaster, both critically and commercially? I doubt a Metacritic average of 70 is quite what Sony or QD was aiming for. And at just over 1m copies sold, it's bound to have made a significant loss (despite what Sony/QD might want people to believe), given the high production values and names attached. It just didn't seem to get the attention HR got those few years ago.

Honestly, I wish QD all the best of success for their next project. I, for one, welcome their style of gameplay as I don't think of it as any less 'a game' as a point and click adventure. I like that they're doing something against the norm. And in that sense, as risk takers, they do make sense as a first party studio. But this is the Sony which has shut down the likes of Zipper and Sony Liverpool in recent years, they aren't going to acquire QD unless it makes perfect business sense.

 

[KimonoNoNo]

They have that. Third Party Productions. It's new.

But I get the feeling that they're getting stonewalled by those 3rd parties.

 

[R_thanatos]

Acquiring QD would be a mistake I feel. They make expensive games and they sometimes aren't that great.

Actually QD games dont cost that much...

 

[HigherLevel]

I just wanna see what they're doing.

I wanna see the rumored JRPGs from Japan Studio, the new IP from SSM, Bend's new game, Uncharted 4 and the other ND game, and GG's new IP.

They've been really quiet so far. Outside the launch games and Infamous and MLB, we haven't seen much from WWS.

 

[Devilgunman]

Sony should buy Take Two if PS4 is a huge success. They are probably the cheaper big publisher.

What!? Sony to acquire Take Two, a company that just put out record breaking GTAV?

 

[Giant Panda]

In actuality, Sony has a lot of issues that need to be resolved with their studios.

Japan studio has had terrible output for a while, and supposedly this is being fixed, but we have yet to see that. The last couple of games they've released have either sold poorly or reviewed poorly.

Polphony Digitial had major problems on PS3 in finishing games in a timely manner, and the games they do release have had some issues. The game they just released, GT 6, just mega bomba-ed in sales relative to expectations and may have hurt the brand. Hopefully the additional power of the PS4 will make things easier for them to get back to form.

Sony Santa Monica hasn't been able to prove that they're able to keep the God of war sustainable and that's the only IP of note that they've released recently. They need to prove they are more than a one trick pony. Hopefully that rumored new IP helps return the studio to top-tier status.

Evolution Studio has had problems releasing games that consistently sell, and now they've run into problems getting Driveclub out on time. Hopefully the game will be great when it releases, because Evolution could certainly use a success.

Sony London has either put out shovel-ware or not much at all in the last couple of years. Sometimes you need a studio to do the dirty work, but I would hope that Sony has higher expectations of their studios than that.

Guerrilla Games seems to have peaked with Killzone 2 and has gone slowly downhill since then. Their next game needs to break this slide. The good news is they won't have to rush for launch for their next game.

Sony San Diego, Naughty Dog, Sucker Punch, and Media Molecule have done well for themselves and don't seem to have any problems to be resolved at this point in time.

 

[MercuryLS]

In actuality, Sony has a lot of issues that need to be resolved with their studios.

Japan studio has had terrible output for a while, and supposedly this is being fixed, but we have yet to see that. The last couple of games they've released have either sold poorly or reviewed poorly.

Polphony Digitial had major problems on PS3 in finishing games in a timely manner, and the games they do release have had some issues. The game they just released, GT 6, just mega bomba-ed in sales relative to expectations and may have hurt the brand. Hopefully the additional power of the PS4 will make things easier for them to get back to form.

Sony Santa Monica hasn't been able to prove that they're able to keep the God of war sustainable and that's the only IP of note that they've released recently. They need to prove they are more than a one trick pony. Hopefully that rumored new IP helps return the studio to top-tier status.

Evolution Studio has had problems releasing games that consistently sell, and now they've run into problems getting Driveclub out on time. Hopefully the game will be great when it releases, because Evolution could certainly use a success.

Sony London has either put out shovel-ware or not much at all in the last couple of years. Sometimes you need a studio to do the dirty work, but I would hope that Sony has higher expectations of their studios than that.

Guerrilla Games seems to have peaked with Killzone 2 and has gone slowly downhill since then. Their next game needs to break this slide. The good news is they won't have to rush for launch for their next game.

Sony San Diego, Naughty Dog, Sucker Punch, and Media Molecule have done well for themselves and don't seem to have any problems to be resolved at this point in time.

I agree with a lot of this. Sony's studios are a mixed bag. You've got some underachievers as well as some of the best studios in the biz. They need to get SSM and GG onto new IPs. I have faith that SSM can deliver, I haven't liked a single GG game yet so I'm not sold on them. Japan studio really needs to step it up too (Last Guardian please).

Hopefully they buy RAD as I see an insane amount of potential in them. They could be another ND caliber studio.

 

[noobasuar]

SSM should just release a Kinetica sequel.

It's by far the best game they've made and would fill that Wipeout void.

 

[Dinjooh]

World domination of course.

Spoiler

Which starts with Firesprite making WipEout for PS4.

 

[Setsuna]

i wonder why people think quantic dream make expensive games

 

[Chocolate & Vanilla]

Noverama still around? They seem/seemed to have a strong relationship with Sony


Edit:

Beyond: Two Souls was a disaster, both critically and commercially. I doubt a purchase would go down too well with investors, and I'd imagine they'll wait to see how the next project goes before making any decisions there.

That's completely false. It was announced some time ago that Beyond was a commercial success. Well over a million sold and the game's budget was relatively low for a game of its stature.

 

[Takao]

Noverama still around? They seem/seemed to have a strong relationship with Sony

Yes, they made another Invizimals games for Vita last year, and helped out on a PS3 spinoff.

 

[Psycho_Mantis]

Right now their western output is great. If they improved their Japanese output to a similar level then their first party output would truly be outstanding.