Reliable sources have confirmed to IGN that there were layoffs at Sony Santa Monica Studio today. The Sony-owned, exclusive developer – founded in 1999 – is best known for its God of War games.
As spotted by Portuguese site Geekinout, the PlayStation Studios developer is currently hiring for a number of key positions, including a lead audio designer, lead narrative animator, a systems design producer, a senior animation programmer, a senior character artist, a senior narrative designer, and, most notably in this case, a senior technical combat designer.
They are working on another project as well which is ahead of this. But I definitely don’t want it to be wipeout. I loved those but wipeout would not be a AAA. SSM is too talented not to make something epic.
I’ll a take a new Wipeout. I wonder who they would have make it though if it did happen
Just don't hire Sweet Baby Inc like you did with Ragnarök. Who am I kidding, of course they will.
Of course they will. Why would they cater to White Supremacist sympathizers like you? Did they not teach you how Capitalism works, bud?
FFS...
White Supremacist*, Are you assuming banger88 is white? Or that only white people complain about SBI?
@ravens52 - White Supremacist is an ideology invented by white people, certainly, but it's practiced by the many different colors of the Rainbow. Take Kanye West for example, the guy is a White Supremacist and an focking idiot.
Seriously, stop being such a White Supremacy Pick-Me Simp and do learn how Capitalism works. Never go Full DeSantis is all I'm saying.
Now take you Dog Whistling SBI acronym and get lost, goofy.
@raven
Don't bother with simple slave...the name says it all. Just send some squatters to his home while he's on vacation...I'm sure he'll love to show how virtuous he can be
@Crows90 - So you also hate homeless people. Shocking...but not really. I bet being homeless is wOke!! Reich? Yeah... I bet stealing land, defunding housing and education is the work of the Übermensch!!! and wholly Righteous, yeah? Of course.
Here's the thing, goof. I don't know what you were hoping or expecting here today, but exposing yourself like that? For what? You have nothing and you are nothing. You people shunned actual education for pure unadulterated hate and alternative facts.
But here, since you have such a fascination with squatting let me give you what you want; 🍑💩
There, you see? We Leftist can also reach across the isle just like Liberals love to do. Happy? Outstanding!
Ragnarök is a very good game and they should hire whoever they want to make their game. If you don't like, don't buy. There are millions who will. I saw some snowflakes crying and claiming they will boycott any any company that works with SB. I asked if they will boycott Steam, since Valve has worked with SB?
Or any other group similar to that self righteous, gamer hating mob. Until the DEI/ESG money runs out I not holding my breath. Let developers make games and fullfil their vision and not cowered to a small minority, who cries the loudest, has freinds in high places that pushes a narrative.
I not white but somehow will be lumped together with white supremacists, Naz!!!s, because I do not subscribe to WOKE ideology. Case in point - SimpleSlave.
"Let developers make games and fullfil their vision and not cowered to a SMALL MINORITY, who cries the loudest, has freinds in high places that pushes a narrative." Yeah, about that. You might want to check the Popular Vote in the US...
Listen, screaming Woke while playing the Acronym game is White Supremacy Dog Whistling. The fact is that even if you don't consider yourself one, you're still a White Supremacist ally; You're still furthering their hate and propaganda. So it makes no difference.
Now, before you keep whining and moaning and melting like a whiteflake, how about you define this Woke ideology, bud? What does it mean to you and how does it differ from your normal? In fact, what IS this normal that you're missing in games or in life, for that matter? What's really bothering you, mhhh? Enlighten us.
Also, is it true that your type consider the female Characters in Mortal Kombat 9 sexier than in MK 11 and 1? And have you visited those MK9 3D models lately? Cuz I gotta tell you, you might be into what you hate. In fact, you might be hating yourself, which is even sadder.
This should be eye opening...
Popular vote?? From which source or echo chamber. Popular vote like Budlite.. popoluar vote like Suicide Squad. If you go be the metric of popular vote, see how that will fly in Asia, East Europe, Africa, Latin America, The Middle East...
Yeah its a small minority sitting in Western countries crying the loudest. So popular that developers will only push it western countries but will self censor in China and the middle east.
@Umb - Popular vote like Spider-Man. Popular vote like God of War Ragnarok. Popular Vote like Human Rights for woman. Popular Vote for Democrats Presidents. Yeah, the Popular Vote from the most powerful voices on this Earth. You don't like it? Move.
"If you go be the metric of popular vote, see how that will fly in Asia, East Europe, Africa, Latin America, The Middle East..."
Sweetie, beside your amazing ignorance of many of those countries and Continents, I'm in America, and this is where we change the world. Besides, just because a lot of other countries are lagging behind doesn't mean we have to follow suit. In fact, THEY are the ones following suit. They are the ones catching up to us. We are making them better by making ourselves better. And by your own argument, you even admit it. Did you see Saudi Arabia allowing Women in sports? WOKE!!! lol. Thanks America!
You really thought that was a good argument? Ffs...
"Yeah its a small minority sitting in Western countries crying the loudest."
It's the majority of the most powerful country on this Earth, son. Go whine and moan to China if you admire them so much. Let me know how it goes when you don't agree with the Winnie-the-Pooh dictator. In fact, go to China and call Xi, Winnie-the-Pooh. We'll never here from you again. Here? In the Land of the Free? Self Censoring Cowards like you can call the President Brandon and I'll still have to interact with you the next day. So be thankful for WOKE, you ingrate.
"So popular that developers will only push it western countries but will self censor in China and the middle east."
Yeah, it's call Capitalism. Have you actually heard of it? It's call making ALL the money. Again, finish school first before engaging in any serious conversation, bud. Cuz this was tragic.
Listen, you went full DeSantis. And that's on you.
I certainly will be more cautious with developers associated with bigoted/racist companies similar to SBI.
This includes Sony Santa Monica. Its a good thing we have SBI detected that is growing day after day by the thousands.
Worse case scenario, buy those games second hand if in any doubt... this way developers will get no money. Will it change much in short term? Nah, especially with that sweet sweet ESG funding and similar things. But long term? Heads will roll sooner or later.
Bravo, (slow clap).
You Sir, understands the situation and even have a short term solution.
Bravo.
You certainly should be extra cautious. Especially when you think that this lame white supremacist gaslighting technique is actually going to work. "Oh, we're not the bigot/racist ones! They are! The ones that like Diversity. That's white Oppression, don't you know?" Just another Dog Whistle to add to the pile of stupid.
But my advice to you is simple; Run.
This society is going fully WOKE and there will be no space for the likes of you. Diversity and Representation will continue to permeate Entertainment so you might as well call it quits.
Besides, even if you buy a game used, you'll still get indoctrinated by our WOKE Ideologies, so don't be so stupid.
Fly, you fools...
@SimpleSlave
Your indirect racism/bigotry and threats aside...
I will just tell you this, outside of the internet and the digital world (the real world) ... there are far more normal people like me than people like you. And that will remain the case for many centuries to come.
And you just reminded me why i don't entertain places like N4g or internet in general as much as i used to. But thankfully, things are changing for the better already around the world and people are really "waking up".
@MrVux000 - "Your indirect racism/bigotry and threats aside..."
Again, not gonna work, bud. The bigotry and racism comes from the side that's whining and moaning about Diversity and Representation. You know, your side. So stop melting, whiteflake.
"I will just tell you this, outside of the internet and the digital world (the real world) ... there are far more normal people like me than people like you. And that will remain the case for many centuries to come."
Patently untrue. I know you love to think that, but that's not even close to reality. That's an Alternative Fact mentality just so you can feel justified in your bigotry and racism. You're going full DeSantis, pal. So sad.
There's a reason Republicans are known to do everything in their power to disenfranchise voters, push for gerrymandering, and perpetuate the State Rights mentality; They know they are in the minority. They don't have the votes. If the Presidential elections where to change to the Popular Vote, they would lose and lose and lose and then lose some more. Ditto if there were terms for their appointed judges in the supreme court and in congress.
"And you just reminded me why i don't entertain places like N4g or internet in general as much as i used to."
That's because 4chan is not spelled N4g, goof. Plenty of other hate filled bubbles for your bigotry and racism. So do go find a circle jerk to cry about it. But this ain't it.
Still, pretty ironic that it is now your side who can't stand the heat and are getting triggered by WOKE. You took us by surprise, sure, but we adapt far better than you people. Your minority is hateful and loud and do have friends in very high places, but we'll keep pushing on and keep pushing you people out. It helps that we value education and empathy while you people don't. At least not for the vast majority, just for the ones in power.
"But thankfully, things are changing for the better already around the world and people are really "waking up"."
You're right. People around the world are finally finding out what happened when you stay complacent and let literal Nazis take over your country. We understand it's time to actually do something about it and send that pest back to the holes they crawled out of. Thankfully, many are doing something about it. We are WOKE...without the quotation marks, cuz we're not cowards. We own that word and we own what it represent.
And we'll get there for sure. Even extreme countries are actually allowing women to take part in sports and even drive. So even if it takes us another Thousand years, we'll get there. We'll even use Capitalism to do it for us... How poetic.
My advice to you? Move to Russia and have fun. See how it goes when you decide to come up with some clever "Let's go Brandon" slogan to describe the Putin. Make sure to make a video while you're getting disappeared.
Good luck.
@SimpleSlave
1) Again, another racist remark.
2) Who the hell is DeSantes?
3) Oh you are American. That explains the obsession with extremist behavior of the left and the right. Dont involve me in that nonsense. I have my fill of people like yourself and politicians in general.
4) I was the one who supported the woke movement when it started. I sure as shit dont like what certain groups of people turned that word into today.
5) Speaks of Nazi... ironically acts like a Nazi. Bravo, you and your peers certainly are doing well to maintain the slandered reputation of the word "woke".
6) I lived in Russia and i am proud Slav in general. That does not mean my culture does not have its share off problems (re-read point 3).
7) We also allowed men into female sports. Good for us.
Like i said, this is the internet ... and words are wind. Back to the normal world.
@MrVux000
1) And again we'll continue to push you people aside because of your racism and bigotry. Yes.
2) DeSantis. He's who represents your type of ideology. The Anti-Woke. In fact, he's your future. Fun.
3) "Dont involve me in that nonsense." Yet here you are whining and moaning and towing the White Supremacist flag of hate. How about that? A hypocrite and a coward.
4) Oh? You were there during the Segregation era in the US? Interesting. How old are you again? Suspect.
5) Yes, because Nazis love Diversity, Representation and love to help Immigrants. Seriously, you should ask for your money back, cuz that education of yours was a joke.
6) Ah, Russia. Not a single Woke in that country... Wait, what happens again when you go out into the streets and march against the Putin? Nothing, reich? Nothing at all. Unlike in the US, where we make people disappear just for hating on Brandon...sorry, Biden.
...Oh, wait. That's not true. It's the other way around. How silly of me. Here's an experiment, go out into the streets and start disparaging your "Elected" Dictator and film it. Then put it on YouTube. Show us Woke Americans how your Anti-Woke liberties and rights work. Please.
7) You also allow men into women's sport... Wut? You mean trans woman? ...Wait a minute. I thought you used to be pro-Woke! Now you're just a plain 'ol bigot? Shocking...
"Like i said, this is the internet ... and words are wind. Back to the normal world."
Just remember to not say anything against the Putin while standing in front of a window on a tall building. But if you do, film it. I want to see how real Anti-Woke freedom looks like when it hits you right in the face.
Good luck.
Wow, just wow, working real hard to shove your opinion on other and slyly attacking people at the same time.
DeSantis?.. I not even from the USA, my point exactly. The little group in the western countries crying the loudest.
@Umb - I see you're still working real hard pushing that faux outrage of yours. I mean, you could've moved on, bud. Or you can grow a backbone and define your position clearly. Stop being such a coward.
"DeSantis?.. I not even from the USA, my point exactly."
Yeah... I couldn't have said it better myself.
"The little group in the western countries crying the loudest."
And you're from what big and amazingly un-Woke and free but-only-for-some country?
How about you stop hiding and come out from there? Be loud and proud, kid. You owe it to yourself.
Ive been here for every god of war, after nearly 20yrs i would just like to see them do something else. I get they are still great games, but it just seems like a waste of their largest studio.
After Ascension selling considerably less than God of War III they had to change things up. They could release a new IP, learn some new things, then release a new God of War improved by the lessons they've learned doing something different. Ascension's multiplayer was awesome btw.
FairPlay @isarai. I still reckon if your on a good streak, you wouldn’t get off it so easily & their next one is rumoured to be Egypt
Hopefully they have something else cooking I agree, as I’d like to see it too!
They are doing something else. New IP is next. I assume it's what Cory Balrog is directing as someone else directed Ragnarok.
Barlog is working on it apparently. The idea is he got the keys to the kingdom for the success of God of War 2018. He is working on his dream game? Unless I interpreted his words incorrectly.
To be fair
Just because it says knowledge about the recent God of War games does not mean it will be God of War
It might just be a direction they are going to go with in a new IP combat wise
IMO Santa Monica has produced the best ps5 game this gen so far, even though it was cross gen. Ragnarok was a fine piece. This game will probably be released at the end of the ps5 cycle.
Still no word on Naughty Dog’s next title. And Sucker Punch is rumored to be releasing Ghost of Tsushima 2 next year. I hope Sony will fill in this large void of games with some reveals in the upcoming showcase.
I personally loved returnal more...Ragnarok was definitely great too..
Naughty dog has lost my interest for a while now....much more interested in bend studios and sucker punch
Returnal was quite good. I did enjoy that as well. I just thought as a single player game Ragnarok nailed it and it was quite lengthy too.
Horizon had a large map to explore but I just wish there was more to do after you beat it.
Bend studios is going to be a multiplayer title, looking forward to see what that will be.
God of War Ragnarök is already being hailed as game of the year material, but it's creation was anything but easygoing. GQ talks to Sony Santa Monica's Cory Barlog and Eric Williams about the making of a PS4 & PS5 classic.
Well those fears were misplaced.
I've put in about 8 and half hrs so far, finding every chest doing any side quests I come across.
The game plays amazing and looks amazing, Santa Monica have knocked it out of the park again!!!
Oh and yes the side quests are as good as the reviews have stated so far, have completed and honestly they may have ad well been main story quests.
Seems harder than gow 2018 aswell, so it's defs worth while trying to clear areas out before moving on.
It reminds me of ninja gaiden in the sense that even the lowest level enemy can kill you if you're not paying attention to what you're doing. He can't afford to straight around being cocky have to be on the ball
On normal or easy mode? When I started the last game I started on hard. I was killed in one hit until later when I got stronger.
Made the valkyries a royal pain fighting for first time though lol.
Wondering if starting this on hard mode too is a Good idea
@lucian229
Yes start on hard. From what I've heard lower difficulties start okay but then drop off to very easy. I usually play all my games on hard to accommodate that inevitable decline in difficulty as you get stronger and more experienced with the game.
I'm playing on hard, but not really hard.The one above normal. Seems like a good challenge. Died a bit in those 3 guys mini boss by the watch tower but doing well.
I snapped my Ninja Gaiden (for the og xbox) disc in half literally 30 minutes in. Then went out a bought a new copy the next day, and then went on to beat it three times.
Good times.
Seriously, I was doing great once. Just in a flowstate. Then all of a sudden a single Nightmare kills me. smh.
That’s great to hear the dude quests are that good. Have a great time man!!
I cannot even fathom what it’ll be like when the wife and I boot it up for the first time…so anxious!
Just started and I can already tell it’s going to be a masterpiece. SSM are an incredibly talented team.
It unlocked for me at 10.30 last night. I thought I'll just have a quick turn.
Well 2 and a half hours went in the blink of an eye and I got 4 hours sleep before work.
Amazing and wow (for just 2 hours) I like the sound of that haha. Music to my ears!
Continue enjoying it! I’ll be playing later tonight, BUSY day ahead for me and the family, but we’re all itching to play😄
If I’m not mistaken (and memory serves me right) Naughty Dog thought the same thing with The Last of Us… And we all know how that was a special game back in 2013! So, knowing just 3 months ago they thought it was not good, yet their desire to hit “Perfect” much like their brothers (Naughty Dog) never has them take the easy route, still work so incredibly hard at their craft - being the veterans overall that this team is, along with I assume new fresh talent, this teams love, passion, care, fire and respect for this game and it’s characters etc. and their love for the fans (in wanting to deliver us a great game) really has, no surprise, paid off.
With hard work, the right mindset and loving what you do, respecting the art of games etc. you will get success. Sony’s first party studios continue to show this again and again. Simply unmatched talent.
The trailer for God Of War Ragnarok was a masterclass example in trailer design, packed with plenty small details while still not revealing to much.
Haha, like what you did there with the “SSM/SMS/SSMS.”
I can’t wait either, SSM will amaze us all over again, and possibly break our gamer hearts😭😂ԅ 57;
It was a masterclass of a trailer, showcasing one of the most badass looking game trailers I think I’ve possibly ever seen! It didn’t give away too much, stunned us, hyped us up even more and showcased that this sequel could very well (I’m just saying, it’s possible, but I’m not saying it’s 💯set in stone) surpass the masterpiece that was 2018’s gem and masterpiece of a game, in storytelling and fantastic gameplay design etc.
The scope and scale of Ragnarok is reminding me of, based on this trailer, Uncharted 2 (not that Uncharted 2 left it’s linear scope and went wide linear, of course that was Uncharted 4) but in the fact that Uncharted 2 cranked up EVERYTHING from Drakes Fortune to Among Thieves to an 11 in its bombastic nature, gunplay, set piece moments, cutscenes, etc. and Ragnarok is bringing that here, in its own unique way, but with a more living, breathing world in certain aspects; which is so neat and welcome.
SSM has been silently polishing this game up and perfecting it to a level I can’t imagine, wizards, I tell ya.
I wanna see Sindri and Brok fight against evil😁
One the best studios in the world. Only some that don't have a sony machine doubt in the quality of their work.
Didnt this studio also move into some massive new building...?
Trading employees for a new location?
It can't have been Corey's game that was cancelled, can it? I mean, they only just re-employed the guy about 8 months ago, so to then squash his project would seem odd. Unless it was still in prototyping stage and Shu didn't like how it was looking? Stig's game must be in development of some kind for over 3 years, so it's probably too far along to cancel. Which leaves what? I mean, they're moving to a bigger property and just had one of those development videos saying how awesome SSM is, so the timing seems odd. Maybe this is out of context and it was an SSM-produced smaller project (a la Sony Smash Bros. or The Unfinished Swan). I dunno. I feel like we need more on this before jumping to conclusions.
Rough times all the way around these days. Hope those who were let go find jobs soon.
Strange to hear about a 1st party developer laying off people. It's usually the company closing a studio completely down. And that's only when a game(S) completely tanks.
You would think that this company out of all Sony's 1st would be ramping up, not laying off.
"This is a result of a cycle of resource re-alignment against priority growth areas within SCE WWS."
Wow, that is some sweet PR talk right there.
Good luck to the people laid off, I'm sure they will get picked up quick with Sony Santa Monica on their resumes.
well that sucks