Deviation Games
Deviation Games business and news from across the web.- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 closes first-party studio Dark Outlaw GamesSony Interactive Entertainment has shut down its first-party studio Dark Outlaw Games, founded by industry veteran Jason Blundell. The company cited strategic adjustments for long-term sustainability, which included workforce reductions. Separately, Epic Games announced layoffs of over 1,000 employees due to a downturn in Fortnite engagement and broader industry challenges.- Sony is Shutting Down Dark Outlaw Games, Moving Away From Mobile Development – RumorSony is reportedly shutting down Dark Outlaw Games, a studio founded by Jason Blundell, and is also cutting around 50 employees from its mobile development division. This move away from mobile comes as the company focuses on a few select high-impact projects, potentially impacting titles like MLB The Show Mobile and Ratchet and Clank: Ranger Rumble.
IOI Partners no longer wants anything to do with MindsEyeSony Interactive Entertainment is reportedly undergoing significant layoffs and studio closures, marking the second such event in a month. This follows the cancellation of projects at studios like Deviation Games and Haven Studios, with concerns also raised about Bungie's future and the company's overall strategy for live service games.- Sony is reportedly shutting down Dark Outlaw Games, run by former Call of Duty directorSony is reportedly shutting down Dark Outlaw Games, a studio led by former Call of Duty director Jason Blundell. This closure is part of broader staff cuts at PlayStation focused on mobile development, signaling a retreat from live-service multiplayer games. Several other studios and projects have also been affected or canceled recently.
- Sony closes Dark Outlaw Games, just a year after its foundingSony is shutting down Dark Outlaw Games, a studio founded by Jason Blundell, just one year after its establishment. This marks the second time Sony has ended a partnership with a Blundell-formed company, following Deviation Games. The closure of Dark Outlaw Games is part of broader layoffs across PlayStation's US and UK businesses and a strategic shift away from the mobile gaming market.
PlayStation Studio Shuts Down Without Releasing a GamePlayStation is shutting down Dark Outlaw Games, a studio founded in 2025 by former Call of Duty lead Jason Blundell, without it ever releasing a game. This marks Blundell's second studio closure with PlayStation. The news also coincides with layoffs in PlayStation's mobile development department and follows the recent closure of Bluepoint Games.
PlayStation's Disastrous First-Party Leadership Culminates in Yet Another Studio ClosureSony has closed Dark Outlaw Games, a studio led by a Treyarch veteran, before it could release any titles. This closure adds to a pattern of PlayStation first-party studio closures and layoffs across its US and European operations. Sony is also exiting the mobile game market, despite ongoing support for some existing titles.- Sony's Disastrous First-Party Leadership Culminates in Yet Another Studio ClosureSony has closed Dark Outlaw Games, a studio led by Treyarch veteran Jason Blundell, before it could release any titles. This closure is part of a broader pattern of Sony's first-party studio management issues during the PlayStation 5 generation. Sony is also shifting away from the mobile game market, despite previously investing heavily in it.
Don Daglow and Rebecca Ann Heineman to be honored at 2026 GDCAsDon Daglow and Rebecca Ann Heineman will be honored at the 2026 Game Developers Choice Awards. The article also discusses Sony's shift towards live service games, leading to the cancellation of multiple projects, and speculates on the timeline for the PlayStation 6 and upcoming Xbox console.
The craft of voice acting with Jennifer HaleVoice actress Jennifer Hale's work is discussed in the context of Sony's shift towards live service games, leading to the cancellation of multiple titles. The article also touches upon the speculated release timelines for the PlayStation 6 and Xbox's next-generation console, Project Helix.