Summary
- Sony canceled live service projects, leading to layoffs at Bend Studio.
- Former SIE co-CEO elevated to sole CEO; Sony reevaluating live service games.
- Sony’s live service ambitions may have decreased with recent cancellations.
Two weeks back, it leaked that Sony had scrapped two undisclosed live-service games from Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games. Turns out, this wasn’t just a rumor – Sony admitted to it. They also hinted that they were brainstorming fresh projects for these studios to minimize any negative business fallout. So here I am, eagerly waiting to see what’s next!
It appears that the initial effects of the cancellations are becoming noticeable now, with news emerging about potential job reductions at Bend Studio.
Bend Studio Hit With Layoffs Due to Canceled Live Service Project
GameDeveloper reports that designers working on an undisclosed project have disclosed they are either being terminated or will be let go after February 14, 2025. The majority of these developers were members of Bend Studio’s level and system design departments. One developer has said that Bend Studio intends to cancel all remaining contracts, except for a limited number of individuals who will be offered full-time positions instead.
The number of individuals impacted remains unknown, and Sony has yet to issue a statement about the job cuts at the time this article was published.
After the positive reception of Helldivers 2, it wasn’t surprising that Sony showed enthusiasm for developing more live service games. However, the disastrous outcome of Concord, which led to its developer closing down, and even Sony’s president acknowledging the need for increased oversight to prevent similar situations, seems to indicate that Sony’s passion for live service games has tempered somewhat.
Today, it was announced that Hideaki Noshino, who previously shared the CEO position at Sony Interactive Entertainment with Herman Hulst, has now become the sole CEO of the division. Prior to this change, both individuals held the co-CEO role.
During an interview, Shuhei Yoshida, the former head of Sony PlayStation, shared that Hulst was advocating for increased live service ventures within Sony. However, Yoshida had reservations about this idea from the beginning, and his rationale behind it was compelling.
Based on the current actions of new Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki, such as his desire for more control, and the recent cancellations of live service projects, it seems that Sony may be focusing less on their live service aspirations at the moment.
As of now, Sony has two active live service projects underway: one derived from the Horizon series, and another known as Marathon from Bungie.
Read More
- Marvel Rivals Announces Balancing Changes in Season 1
- EUR CAD PREDICTION
- What Borderlands 4 Being ‘Borderlands 4’ Suggests About the Game
- Marvel Rivals Can Earn a Free Skin for Invisible Woman
- “Fully Playable” Shenmue PS2 Port Was Developed By SEGA
- Elden Ring Player Discovers Hidden Scadutree Detail on Second Playthrough
- Valve Announces SteamOS Is Available For Third-Party Devices
- DMTR PREDICTION. DMTR cryptocurrency
- A Future Stardew Valley Update Should Right One Holiday Wrong
- Christmas Is Over: Bitcoin (BTC) Loses $2 Trillion Market Cap
2025-01-30 03:38