370°

The State of Sony’s Development Teams

Following the release of Sony Santa Monica’s stellar God of War, the same thought may be on a lot of fan’s minds: what’s next? The PlayStation 4 has had an excellent four-and-a-half-year run, and it looks like it will be a while yet before the PlayStation 5 hits our living rooms. So, in alphabetical order, it's time to run down nine of the biggest Sony first-party studios that most likely have games in the oven and three second-party studios confirmed to be working on high-profile exclusives for the system.

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hardcoregamer.com
crazyCoconuts2199d ago

Sony's on fire, no doubt. I for one would like to see Guerilla go back to Killzone for their next project. Maybe a reboot for all the newer Sony fans?

generic-user-name2198d ago

Horizon 2 as a launch PS5 title would be fantastic though.

The 10th Rider2198d ago (Edited 2198d ago )

I feel like that's the best bet. With some extra CPU power they could really flesh out the world with some really cool mechanics. Imagine if they added weather systems that effected the dinosaur behavior, including electrical storms and tornadoes, and systems like the nemesis system in the Shadow of Mordor/War games.

pojuja2198d ago

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JimmyDM902197d ago

Last of Us 2 seems more likely for the PS5 launch to me (simultaneous release on PS4) with Horizon 2 maybe coming at the end of the first year.

The 10th Rider2197d ago (Edited 2197d ago )

@JimmyDM90,

I think The Last of Us 2 will be a summer 2019 PS4 title. It's also possible that backwards compatibility on the PS5 improves performance or allows for patches that improve game performance. In that case I think The Last of Us 2 could be used as an example, getting a higher frame-rate and resolution added on the PS5. Then I think Death Stranding is the game most likely to have a PS4 and a PS5 version. I can see Horizon 2 being a launch or early PS5 title if the PS5 doesn't come out until 2020 though.

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Markusb332198d ago

I think they could let another studio work on a new kill zone. Guerilla will be busy with hzd 2.

UltraNova2198d ago (Edited 2198d ago )

They should divide the studio into two equally great teams(I know they had a separate team develop Shadow fall but that was more like a temporary team B) just like ND did - one team should work on the now 'mandatory' HZD sequel and the other on a Killzone reboot. I really want to see Guerrilla go at it one last time with guns blazing! Santa Monica showed them the way; of a true reboot that can and will succeed if enough passion and trust is put in to it, from its initial pitch to the day it goes gold.

The_Hooligan2198d ago

I would like Sony to work on making a new FPS title. It doesn't have to be a brand new IP but a new resistance, killzone or socom would be nice. What other FPS IPs does Sony own that they can develop?
Also can't wait to see more from Kojima and Sucker punch.

RememberThe3572197d ago (Edited 2197d ago )

GG is structured now sort of like ND is and they've almost confirmed that they're working on a new KZ game as well as a follow up to Horizon. I mean, Hermen mentioned they're second team durring a Horizon promotional interveiw so I'm not sure why we're speculating on weather or not their making a second game, of course they are.

sprinterboy2198d ago

Agree, bundle it with all ps5 launch consoles and it'll sell 10million first yr. Plus bundle in gts for free, release at 399 jobs a good un

MrSec842198d ago

And the rest.
Tbh if Sony were to launch PS5 with a Horizon sequel at $399/£349 and a handful of other titles like Knack 3 and solid games announced for the next 6 to 12 months they'd probably sell 10 million units before E3 2020.

Coz PS5 is basically a lock for release Holiday 2019. It'll also be BC with PS4 for sure, with many Devs having true 4K native last gen games and locked performance.

GT Sport will probably be on Plus at some point.
Maybe Sucker Punch could have either a sequel to Ghost of Tsushima if it's planned to be a franchise, God of War 5 could also come out in Fall 2020.

God only knows what Sony's teams could cook up with more time to iterate on their tech and with better hardware to develop for.

The 10th Rider2198d ago

There's no way a next-gen console launches at $399 with a full bundled game. If they go with just one SKU and they decide to push native 4K, it'll be $499 without a game included. If they decide to launch with two different models from the get-go it'll be like $400 for a 1080p SKU and $500-600 for a 4K SKU.

2198d ago
The 10th Rider2198d ago

@MakoD,

If you really think you're getting a 10-14tf machine that also has a substantial CPU and ram boost bundled with a full game for $399 in a year and a half to two years, I really don't know what to tell you. That's pure fantasy land right there.

rainslacker2197d ago

Bundled games in a base SKU haven't been a common thing since the PS1 gen. Many systems often had a bundled SKU, but still had a base console.

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MarineLineman2198d ago

If rather see Guerilla’s main team continue with Horizon, while they grow their B team from Cambridge to work on either Killzone or a new multiplayer focused FPS. Horizon is far too good to end so suddenly,

IRetrouk2198d ago (Edited 2198d ago )

Im almost positive cambridge was shut down.

MarineLineman2198d ago

@IRretrouk They were shut down as their own studio, but the majority of the staff were moved to Guerilla’s main team to help work on future titles. It would make sense to beef their numbers up a bit and turn them into a B team to work on other IP’s.

2198d ago
zivtheawesome2198d ago (Edited 2198d ago )

nah. go full on horizon sequel. there is still so much to develop on and third parties are still making their huge FPS games that are better not going against.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 2197d ago
DigitalRaptor2199d ago (Edited 2199d ago )

I remember a couple of years ago we had articles concerned about Sony's first-party.
( http://n4g.com/news/1833011... ) ( http://n4g.com/news/1892899... )

You gotta give the caterpillar time to become an elegant butterfly. Sony's current studios have been given the time and resources required, and thus we are presented with what are being called game of the year or the best of the generation contenders.

I've been outlining for years why you weren't going to get the best immediate support from Sony's first-party at the start of any generation. Might as well just link to what I said a few days ago that explains it better, because what is anything without the context: ( http://n4g.com/news/2164018... )

The proof that Sony letting their studios branch out into new territory and taking their time to develop amazing new technology pays dividends, is that a mind like Hideo Kojima who happened to be looking for a replacement to Fox Engine was attracted to Sony's studios and ended up using Guerrilla's engine and developed a partnership which has now flourished into a full-scale exclusive game project. That is the power of what Sony is doing in this industry, and it's only going to get better from this point on, with them investing even more in first-party development going forward.

DigitalRaptor2199d ago (Edited 2199d ago )

Forgot to mention Spider-Man in my last paragraph: very similar scenario to Death Stranding, with Marvel choosing and trusting Sony to helm the production of one of their properties, ending up with a multi-game prospect that will only be on PlayStation consoles for the foreseeable future.

RandoCommenter2198d ago

I love sony too, but they only have spider man because they purchased spider man’s media rights when marvel was floundering in the late 90’s. They did a great job with the sam ramie films & brought it back. Now, they still own the character rights to it & they’re using them to make what looks to be an amazing game. I love sony so much.

RememberThe3572197d ago

Sony has the movie rights but Marvel still contols the IP. Marvel went to Sony and asked them to make a Siper-Man game because they didn't want to have to baby sit the project and Sony has a good reputation for producing quality games. It was Sony that then went to Insomniac and asked them to take on the project. This is all documented...

DigitalRaptor2197d ago (Edited 2197d ago )

Sony, through discussions with Marvel, recommended Insomniac. Following that, Insomniac chose to work on Spider-Man.

Ted Price, CEO of Insomniac:
"Sony came to us and said... [would you guys be interested in working on a game with us and Marvel?]... because Sony has a relationship with Marvel and had been talking to Marvel. In fact, Connie Booth who has been our Executive Producer for years at Sony, had been discussing us with Marvel because Marvel had said we are interested in seeing what Insomniac is up to. Maybe there's an opportunity to work together. Marvel asked us, [what would you liked to work on?]... we said: Spider-Man".

Source: https://www.youtube.com/wat...

2199d ago Replies(6)
PhoenixUp2198d ago

It’s the first time since 2004 where Sony devoted most of their first party attention exclusively to home consoles

nucky642198d ago

what are you talking about? what do you think sonys 1st party studios have been doing for the last 14 years?

PhoenixUp2198d ago

Exactly what I said, that they can put all their games on one platform instead of dividing it between consoles and handhelds

BushLitter2198d ago

I'm very excited to learn more about Ghost of Tsushima

Rimeskeem2198d ago

I have a feeling that game is closer than some think. E3 HYPE

SuperSaiyanGod412198d ago (Edited 2198d ago )

Don't be surprised if that game drops before the holidays. Shuhei Yoshida said he played a demo of it before psx, the games been in development for like 3 years now. If it doesn't drop then look for early next year but then again good thing about Sony is they give their studios time.

Excited for this game too, i believe the main character is half samurai and ninja. Stealth for ninja and samurai for all out war lol. Who knows but I'm really excited for this game.

zivtheawesome2198d ago

yea. my expecations are at around april~may 2019. GoTsu doesn't feel far off and i can definitely see gameplay this E3.

sprinterboy2198d ago (Edited 2198d ago )

I think get days gone out the way early Feb 2019, then tlou pt2 may 2019 then a release for ghost of thaunsmi sometime july/August, 2019 leaving death stranding for October/November 2019 followed by psx December 2019 ps5 reveal, followed by game trailers/price/console reveal E3 2020 then launch of the console October 2020.
edit: 2020 Sony will use and rely on 3rd and 2nd party games with 1 or 2 1st party games final fantasy, kingdom hearts, fifa, bf, cod etc

NotanotherReboot2198d ago

Sucker Punch and Guerrilla really need to improve and get on ND's and Santa Monica's level or it will be too late for them

UCForce2198d ago

I can trust Sucker Punch talents. GG already proved themselves. You just hate their gut. Nothing more, nothing less.

NotanotherReboot2198d ago

the only thing they proved is that they can't write stories or characters

thejigisup2197d ago

@frinker Can we also go back and speak about second son? Had it's probs but delsin was a fantastic character, so was Reggie, and fetch was great too. Story was good. It was my first ps4 plat. Did you play HZD? Aloy is one of my favorite protagonists this gen. She can go toe to toe with the best of them. Ye of little faith.

UCForce2198d ago

“Can’t write story or character” Now you are just being idiot.

Si-Fly2198d ago

I agree with Frinker. HZD had fantastic graphics and combat but the fetch quests and laborious conversations pretty much ruined it for me, I just didn’t care what any NPC was talking about! I wish they’d made it a more streamlined experience like TLOU or GOW, it could’ve been so much better.

UCForce2198d ago

@Si-Fly There is fetch quest in HZD but few. Sure, side quest isn’t like Witcher 3, but at least it will keep you in engaged. Horizon Zero Dawn was pretty good, but it’s major step up for GG.

Cryptcuzz2198d ago

Can't create characters or story? Whhat?
I love Aloy and the supporting cast was memorable.
The story actually kept me intrigued all the way to the end.

firelogic2198d ago

Same. When the core story was finally revealed, it was amazing! People who didn't like the story either don't like sci-fi in general or they didn't understand what was happening. Yeah I hate to be that guy but that's the only explanation I've got because the story was fresh, intriguing, heartbreaking, and awe-inspiring with what they (the people in the story) were able to achieve. Also the interweaving of Alloy's self discovery via the events of the past was a great way to structure the narrative.

Knushwood Butt2198d ago

I recently beat Second Son for the first time.

Really enjoyed it, and thought characters and story were good.

Also, technically very impressive for a game so close to launch of the PS4. Looked great even on my 1080p TV with no HDR.

rainslacker2197d ago

I:SS still has some of the best particle effects I've seen this generation. It was something that was subtle to show that the new gen had arrived IMO.

FyBy2198d ago

GG with hzd proved, that they can write good stories. That story (for me of course) was most ineteresting game story this gen.

They also proved, they are technically experienced. They only can prove , that they can repeat success of hzd. We will see.

2198d ago
OffRoadKing2198d ago

lol, must just be here to collect those down votes.

UltraNova2198d ago

Oh man coolaid got you good.

Aceman182198d ago

What the hell you smoking? GG stepped out their comfort zone and dropped a world open rpg adventure on their first try to critical/commercial success. There was nothing wrong with Horizon's story, SP has created two great franchises in Infamous and Sly.

You sir are just a damn hater, please go back to whatever console you were playing before.

Razzer2198d ago

Nah....they just need to keep cranking out the great games.

UCForce2198d ago

Still cynical as usual. That’s just pathetic.

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90°

EA says largest Battlefield team yet is building ‘another tremendous live service’

Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson stated in a recent EA Earnings Call, that the next Battlefield "it is going to be another tremendous live service.”

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videogameschronicle.com
-Foxtrot1d 1h ago

Another? ANOTHER?

Is he honestly trying to make out like the last Battlefield was a huge success, not just as a game but as a live service game? I'm sure these guys live in their own echo chambers, they are so far removed from reality or they just like talking out of their arse trying to rewrite history.

Also why say such a tone deaf statement when you know the state of live service games at the minute and how many gamers feel about them. Bigging up the next BF game as live service does not give me any excitement or hype.

LordoftheCritics23h ago

''is building ‘another tremendous LIE service’''

/Fixed

RaidenBlack1d 1h ago

Just make another Battlefield 2 ... or BadCompany 3 ... EA

XiNatsuDragnel1d ago

Bad company 3 instead of live service bs

Relientk771d ago

And already lost interest

Pass

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230°

Report Claims Xbox Is Planning More Cuts Following Studio Closures

"The sudden closure of several video-game studios at Microsoft Corp.’s Xbox division was the result of a widespread cost-cutting initiative that still isn’t finished.

This week, Xbox began offering voluntary severance agreements to producers, quality assurance testers and other staff at ZeniMax, which it purchased in 2020 for $7.5 billion, according to people familiar with the company’s plans. Others across the Xbox organization have been told that more cuts are on the way.

Speaking about the closures more broadly, Booty said that the company’s studios had been spread too thin — like “peanut butter on bread” — and that leaders across the division had felt understaffed. They decided to close these studios to free up resources elsewhere, he said.

Game Pass has not seen the massive growth that Xbox boss Phil Spencer may have been hoping for."

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purexbox.com
just_looken12m ago

Sense it seems very few remember that human's were around before 2020 the next studio to close will be bethesda based no doubt on the history of.

Fallout 76
Elder scrolls online
elder scrolls blades mobile
fallout mobile
The vr versions of old games

Then you got starfield pissing out cash nothing to cover it.

I doubt tod's team or any sub team is making m$ cash they are no doubt on the chopping block for job cuts

If you can remember before 2020 even fallout 76 was made with over 4 studios.

-Foxtrot1h ago

"Speaking about the closures more broadly, Booty said that the company’s studios had been spread too thin — like “peanut butter on bread” — and that leaders across the division had felt understaffed. They decided to close these studios to free up resources elsewhere, he said"

So what you're saying is...you bought all these studios and you guys can't run them.

Jesus.

Inverno1h ago

Spread thin after firing over 2000 employees a few months prior. So basically they created the problem and their solution was to just fire more people. Absolute geniuses over at Xbox, of course can we even believe this to be the reason for the closures?

just_looken9m ago

9 agrees of course pro sony site

Oh look knowledge
https://www.pcgamer.com/aft...

They left them do there "magic" for 3 years lost alot of money redfall is what made them take charge.

This is right now m$ in charge

Eonjay1h ago

Reports are suggesting that Game Pass will be getting a price hike soon and that Call of Duty may not be added to the day one offering. I honestly have a hard time believing this but it does beg the question why exactly did GP fail? I think the answer is that it just didn't get the growth that it anticipated. Jim was right but I wish he wasn't because at the end of the day, its gamers, devs and other front-line workers who have to absorb the blow for Spencer and team's miscalculations.

1h ago
NotoriousWhiz39m ago

And out of the ashes something even better than Xbox will be born.

Eonjay36m ago

Honestly as long as is not a situation where the industry has to contract in order focus wealth on a few people who are already trillionaires..

Scissorman1h ago

For all the armchair executives who were calling for Sony to release its big-budget AAA games on PS+, the same exact thing would have happened at PlayStation. Game Pass has killed Xbox. Congrats.

shinoff21831h ago

There's not many of of us clamoring for Sony to do this because most of us understand it would kill Playstation. I'm sure there's a few but I've not seen alot of it myself.

just_looken19m ago

I will give you a like sense this site is pro sony even the mods will delete this comment like my last asap as they defend sony 24/7.

Those with brains knows microsoft a trillion dollar company cares little about devs and is all about making cash so they will lease out ips gamepass is not a loss like amazon/netflix the overall ms make billions a week.

1h ago
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210°

Phil Spencer trends on Twitter amid calls for him to resign

Phil Spencer and Microsoft have come under fire following the closure of multiple Bethesda-owned studios including Tango Gameworks.

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videogamer.com
gold_drake4h ago(Edited 4h ago)

wow haha.

i dont think he will resign. or will be kicked off.

if hes still here after everything in the past, this wont affect him unfortunately.

RhinoGamer882h ago

He and his cronies have a sweet deal. Even if they are fired, stock options and parachutes will mean they never need to work again. Cronyism at its worst.

neutralgamer19921h ago(Edited 1h ago)

I think his days are numbered TBH. Spending 80 million of all acquisitions yet can’t even compete with others it’s insane

This also proves gamepass isn’t as profitable as Xbox fanboys make it out to be

RaidenBlack1h ago(Edited 1h ago)

That huge Acti-Blizz acquisition wasn't worth it ... They should've stopped at Zenimax and instead focused "rescuing" individual studios like Crystal Dynamics, Eidos Montreal, Crytek, Volition or Gearbox etc (much better than trying to devour the whole of one of the largest gaming publisher)
IMHO, with no $70 Billion deficit, these studio closures would not have happened ...

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