PlayStation Studios
PlayStation Studios business and news from across the web.
Xbox needs to make a choice, says former PlayStation leader Shawn Layden: be a publisher or a platform, but you can't be bothFormer PlayStation leader Shawn Layden argues that Xbox must choose between being a major game publisher or a platform holder, stating it cannot effectively be both. He highlights the need for exclusive content to support a platform, contrasting it with the multiplatform approach required for a top publisher, a dilemma exacerbated by recent Xbox layoffs and strategic shifts.
Helldivers 2 introduces new cheater-monitoring methodsArrowhead Game Studios has implemented new anti-cheat measures in Helldivers 2 to detect and address players manipulating the Super Credit system. These changes, effective immediately, aim to ensure a fair experience in the Galactic War without impacting honest players. The developer also mentioned the upcoming motion picture adaptation of the franchise.
PlayStation – and The Gaming Industry – Just Doesn’t Learn With Live-ServiceDespite numerous high-profile failures and significant layoffs within studios like Bungie and Quantic Dream, Sony Interactive Entertainment, led by Hideaki Nishino, remains committed to pursuing live-service games. This strategy is questioned due to past setbacks and the company's historical strength in single-player titles, with concerns that chasing trends is leading to wasted investment and development resources.
“Most of the Destiny Team” Will Face Layoffs, Confirms PlayStation Studios HeadSony Interactive Entertainment's PlayStation Studios head Hermen Hulst confirmed that "most of the Destiny team" and some Marathon developers at Bungie will be laid off. This follows previous workforce reductions at Bungie and aims to align the studio's resources with its long-term priorities. Support is being provided to affected employees.
Bungie Studio Head Justin Truman Steps Down – RumorBungie studio head Justin Truman is reportedly stepping down less than a year after taking the role, according to sources familiar with the situation. Truman has a long history with the company, having worked on titles like Destiny 2 and Halo: Reach. This news follows recent layoffs at Bungie, with PlayStation Studios head Hermen Hulst noting that many of the affected employees were from the Destiny team.
Wolverine PS5 Will Win Awards for These Outstanding Accessibility and Difficulty OptionsInsomniac Games is implementing extensive accessibility and difficulty options in Marvel's Wolverine for the PlayStation 5, building upon the standards set by Marvel's Spider-Man 2. The game will feature numerous new and improved settings for gameplay assists, visual and audio cues, controls, and violence customization, allowing for a highly personalized player experience.
ILL Won’t Make You Feel Like “An Unstoppable Action Hero,” But It Won’t Overtly Punish EitherTeam Clout's upcoming survival horror game ILL aims for a challenging but not overly punishing experience, focusing on tactical resource management and scarce, degrading weapons. The developers want players to feel engaged without being unstoppable, balancing survival horror elements with fun action. ILL is currently targeting a 2027 release for PlayStation 5 and PC.
Astro Bot Has Reportedly Sold 4.3 Million Units Since Launching in 2024Astro Bot has reportedly sold 4.3 million units since its 2024 launch, generating approximately $250 million in revenue. The 3D platformer, developed by Team Asobi, is estimated to have sold over 600,000 copies this year alone. The article also mentions the game's 12-15 hour playtime and the possibility of a new project from the studio.
Bloodborne’s Potential PS5 Performance Showcased on Modded ConsoleDigital Foundry has showcased Bloodborne running at a stable 120 FPS on a modded PlayStation 5, a significant improvement over its original PlayStation 4 performance which was locked to 30 FPS with frame pacing issues. These enhancements, achieved through exploits on older console firmware, suggest that Sony could implement similar improvements if interested, though neither Sony nor FromSoftware have shown interest in revisiting the title. Reports indicate Bluepoint Games had pitched a Bloodborne remake, but FromSoftware declined, with Sony respecting their decision.
The VFX tech behind Saros: from NGP to GraphiteHousemarque details the evolution of their visual effects technology, from the NGP particle engine used in Returnal to the unified Graphite framework powering Saros. The article highlights advancements in volumetric fog rendering, GPU simulation, and Houdini integration for creating dynamic and reactive in-game environments on PlayStation 5.
Sony Inzone H6 Air Wired Open-back Gaming Headset reviewThe Sony Inzone H6 Air wired gaming headset offers a natural, rich sound thanks to its open-back design and 40mm MDR-MV1 drivers, similar to Sony's studio headphones. While comfortable and lightweight, its microphone picks up significant white noise, and its full potential is best realized on PC with the Inzone Hub software for EQ adjustments. It is recommended for single-player RPG and FPS gamers who prioritize audio quality over wireless features.- God of War Laufey Is Taking the Sort of Risk More PlayStation Series Need To TakeThe article argues that PlayStation Studios should take more risks, citing the decision to shift perspective away from a beloved protagonist in God of War Laufey as a bold move. This change in gameplay and narrative focus is presented as a model for other PlayStation titles.
PlayStation Studios announces God of War LaufeyPlayStation Studios has announced God of War Laufey, the final title in the God of War Norse Saga. The game will feature Kratos's wife, Faye, as a playable character in the afterlife, with elements from Egyptian and Chinese mythologies expected to be present.
New Report Shows PlayStation First-Party Game Sales Declining, But What’s The Full Story>A report analyzing Sony's first-party game sales reveals a significant decline from FY20 to FY25, dropping from 58.4 million to 32.1 million units. While the number of releases has fluctuated, the analysis suggests the core issue is an increasing reliance on a few blockbuster franchises like God of War and Spider-Man, with fewer new titles emerging to fill the gap.
Media Molecule’s Next Game Reportedly Has “Open-World Content,” Per Designer’s PortfolioA senior environment designer's portfolio suggests Media Molecule's unannounced new IP will feature open-world content, though the exact implementation remains unclear. The studio, which ended support for Dreams in 2021, is working on a new intellectual property that is reportedly more game-focused than a creative tool. This news comes amidst speculation about potential announcements at the upcoming State of Play event.
The sound of the Eclipse: Sam Slater on scoring SarosComposer Sam Slater discusses his approach to creating the soundtrack for the game Saros, emphasizing the blend of dark synthesis, drone metal, and manipulated voices to capture the game's atmosphere. He details the collaborative process with Housemarque and PlayStation Studios Creative Arts, focusing on building a unique musical identity for the game's world and characters, and how sound design and music work together to immerse the player.
PlayStation Leak Teases Unannounced Exclusive Game in Development | Invision Game CommunityLeaks suggest Sony is developing an unannounced first-party exclusive game for the PlayStation 5, potentially to be revealed at an upcoming showcase. While unconfirmed, insider reports and studio listings hint at multiple new projects in development at PlayStation Studios, including potential work from Naughty Dog.
PS5 boss admits that single-player exclusives will no longer be ported to PCSony's PlayStation Studios head Hermen Hulst has confirmed that single-player PlayStation 5 exclusives will no longer be ported to PC. This policy change means upcoming titles like Marvel's Wolverine and Ghost of Yōtei will remain console-exclusive. While multiplayer and live-service games will still receive PC releases, the move is seen as a strategy to drive PlayStation 5 console sales.
Sony reportedly confirms it's ditching PC versions of its single-player PS5 gamesSony is reportedly ending its practice of bringing single-player PlayStation 5 games to PC, according to PlayStation Studios boss Hermen Hulst. This strategic shift aims to bolster console exclusivity and brand identity, with titles like Marvel's Wolverine and Intergalactic: The Heretic Project expected to remain console-only. Multiplayer games are not affected by this change.
Sony’s single player games will no longer be releasing on PCSony's PlayStation Studios will no longer release single-player games on PC, with titles like Saros remaining PlayStation exclusive, according to a report citing Hermen Hulst. Multiplayer games will continue to have broader releases. This policy shift, potentially influenced by PC sales performance and a resurgence of console exclusivity driven by component shortages, signals a return to traditional console wars.