Dark Outlaw Games
Dark Outlaw Games business and news from across the web.
What the heck are you playing at, games industry?The article criticizes the recent surge in video game studio closures and layoffs, highlighting numerous studios shut down by major publishers like Ubisoft, EA, Embracer, Sony, and Microsoft. It questions the business strategies of these publishers, particularly Microsoft's handling of Ninja Theory and the high development cost of Xbox exclusives like Gears of War E-Day, while also pointing to the industry's pursuit of live services and infinite growth over sustainable development.
PlayStation first-party sales see modest rebound after half-decade declinePlayStation first-party game sales saw a modest increase to 32.1 million copies in FY2025, the first upturn in five years, following a significant decline since a peak in 2020-2021. This growth is attributed partly to the release of Ghost of Yōtei, while the overall decline was linked to inconsistent studio output and lengthy development cycles. Sony has also reportedly scaled back on releasing PS5 exclusives for PC, fearing it could damage the console's brand.- Jason Blundell announces his new-new studio, Magic FractalJason Blundell, formerly of Activision Blizzard's Call of Duty: Black Ops series, has announced the formation of his new studio, Magic Fractal Studios. This marks Blundell's third studio since leaving Activision in 2020, following the closures of Deviation Games and Dark Outlaw Games. Little is known about Magic Fractal's projects, but it is confirmed not to be a live-service game.
Sony Officially Acquires Cinemersive LabsSony Interactive Entertainment has acquired UK-based machine learning and computer vision company Cinemersive Labs. The team will join SIE's Visual Computing Group to advance visual computing in games. This acquisition follows recent news of Sony shutting down Dark Outlaw Games, a studio founded by Call of Duty veteran Jason Blundell.
PlayStation To "Enhance Gameplay Visuals" With Buyout Ahead Of PS6Sony Interactive Entertainment has acquired UK-based machine-learning company Cinemersive Labs to enhance gameplay visuals and rendering techniques. The acquired company's AI technology can transform photos into volumetric 3D experiences. This acquisition comes as Sony prepares for the next generation of PlayStation consoles and follows recent studio closures.
Jason Blundell Starts Yet Another Studio Magic Fractal, Says “Third Time’s The Charm”Jason Blundell, founder of the recently closed Dark Outlaw Games and formerly of Call of Duty: Zombies fame, has launched a new studio named Magic Fractal. He is joined by former colleague JCbackfire, marking his third venture after the closures of Deviation Games and Dark Outlaw Games. Blundell expresses optimism that this new studio will be his most successful.
Call of Duty Zombies dev starts new studio with 2 failed PlayStation collabs behind him, just 1 week after Sony shut down his last project: "Third time's the charm"Former Call of Duty producer Jason Blundell has launched a new studio, Magic Fractal Studios, just one week after Sony shut down his previous venture, Dark Outlaw Games. This marks Blundell's third studio attempt, following the earlier collapse of Deviation Games, a PlayStation partner.
Call of Duty Veteran Jason Blundell Returns With Another New StudioCall of Duty veteran Jason Blundell has announced a new development studio named Magic Fractal, following the closure of his previous company, Dark Outlaw Games, by Sony. The specifics of Magic Fractal's projects are currently unknown, but it's speculated that work from the previous unannounced project might be carried over. Blundell's past credits include Call of Duty: Black Ops 3.
Nintendo cuts Switch 2 production, layoffs at Epic and PlayStation, and another Saudi acquisition - Patch Notes #45This week's Patch Notes covers significant industry news including over 1,000 layoffs at Epic Games, Savvy Games Group's $6 billion acquisition of Moonton, and Nintendo's decision to cut Switch 2 production by over 30 percent due to weak US sales. Additionally, Sony has shuttered Dark Outlaw Games, and French studios Spiders, Kylotonn, and Cyanide have filed for insolvency.
Nintendo Switch 2 Goes Digital Crazy, Physical Prices C... | TAGNintendo is implementing a new pricing strategy for the Nintendo Switch 2, where digital and physical versions of games will have different Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices, starting with 'Yoshi and the Mysterious Book' on May 21. Separately, a canceled PlayStation 5 project from Dark Outlaw Games was not intended to be a live-service title, and Intel has launched the Arc Pro B70 graphics card for AI applications rather than gaming.
Sony has shut down Dark Outlaw Games one year after its founding and while it was reportedly 'still in the early…Sony has shut down Dark Outlaw Games, a studio founded just one year ago by Call of Duty Zombies veteran Jason Blundell. The closure comes amid broader cuts in mobile development and other areas, with around 50 people reportedly laid off. Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Hermen Hulst cited rising development costs as a factor in the studio's shuttering.
Cancelled PS5 project from Call of Duty vet and Dark Outlaw Games wasn't going to be a live-service releaseDark Outlaw Games, a studio founded by Call of Duty veteran Jason Blundell, has been shut down by Sony. Contrary to assumptions, the cancelled PlayStation 5 project was not a live-service game. Developers cited a tough business environment and shifting company focus for the cancellation.
Former CoD Dev Reacts To New Sony Game Getting Canceled: It "F**king Sucks"Former Call of Duty developer Jason Blundell's new studio with Sony, Dark Outlaw Games, has been shuttered. Blundell expressed disappointment but understanding regarding the closure, stating they were making a "hell of a game." The studio's unrevealed project was not a live-service game, and its closure is attributed to broader industry factors and Sony's strategic adjustments for long-term sustainability.
Dark Outlaw Games Founder Says Studio Was Working on “a Hell of a Game”Sony is reportedly shutting down its studio Dark Outlaw Games, founded by veteran developer Jason Blundell. Blundell expressed sadness over the closure, stating the studio was working on a significant unannounced game. The closure is part of Sony's broader strategy to focus on fewer high-impact projects.
'It Wasn't a Live Service Game': Shuttered Sony Studio Teases Scrapped PS5 ProjectSony shuttered its first-party studio Dark Outlaw Games, led by Treyarch veteran Jason Blundell. Contrary to speculation, the studio's scrapped PlayStation 5 project was not a live service game. Blundell expressed disappointment over the cancellation, attributing it to a tough business environment rather than ill-will towards Sony.
Black Ops vet says his mystery PlayStation project wasn't a live-service game, and even if Sony shutting down his studio "f***ing sucked" he reckons it's just because "times change"Sony has shut down its first-party studio Dark Outlaw Games, led by Call of Duty: Black Ops veteran Jason Blundell. Blundell confirmed the closure, stating that while the situation "f***ing sucked," he understands it's due to changing times. The studio's unannounced project was confirmed not to be a live-service game.
Sony Interactive Shuts Down Dark Outlaw GamesSony Interactive Entertainment has shut down Dark Outlaw Games, a studio founded just a year ago by Call of Duty veteran Jason Blundell. The studio was reportedly in the early stages of its first game. Sony is also reducing its mobile game development operations, impacting around 50 employees, as it shifts focus away from the mobile market.
PlayStation Shuts Down COD Veteran's Dark Outlaw GamesPlayStation has shut down Dark Outlaw Games, a studio founded by Call of Duty veteran Jason Blundell. This closure marks another instance of studios led by industry veterans being shuttered, with Sony citing "strategic adjustments to support long-term sustainability." The exact nature of Dark Outlaw Games' unreleased debut project, likely a first-person shooter, will likely remain unknown.
Sony shuts down Dark Outlaw Games and downsizes mobile games development as PlayStation continues to rethink plansSony Interactive Entertainment has shut down its newly formed studio Dark Outlaw Games and is downsizing its mobile game development division, affecting around 50 workers. This move signals a potential shift away from the mobile market and a return to focusing on large exclusive releases, possibly impacting the company's PC strategy.
Sony shutters internal studio Dark Outlaw GamesSony Interactive Entertainment has shut down its internal studio Dark Outlaw Games, founded by Jason Blundell in 2024. The closure resulted in approximately 50 layoffs across the studio and PlayStation's mobile business. This follows the recent closure of Bluepoint Games in February.