PlayStation is closing one of its most popular studios

No one is immune to bad news, not even PlayStation Studios. Sony announces the closure of its smallest studio that was working on a PS5 game powered by Unreal Engine 5.

Almost ten years ago, PixelOpus tentatively announced its first project on the E3 stage: devoured. A shimmering, artful rhythm game that has flown under the radar of many PS4 players. Five years later, the small PlayStation studio made its mark with the benevolent and colorful Concrete Genie. A production with a lot of heart and beautiful ideas that touched its audience. These will ultimately be the only two games from the smallest of PlayStation Studios.

PixelOpus will close in June

In a tweet published this Friday evening, May 5th, without emotion, PixelOpus announced the end of its adventure. ” Dear friends, the PixelOpus adventure is over. As we look to new horizons, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to the millions of passionate gamers who have supported us and our mission of making beautiful and imaginative games with heart. We are very thankful! “. If there was any doubt, Sony has since confirmed it IGN that the studio will close on June 2, 2023.

« PlayStation Studios regularly evaluates its portfolio and the status of individual projects to ensure they meet the organization’s short- and long-term strategic goals.

‘ says a spokesman. Then, as part of a recent review process, Sony decided to put an end to the adventure of PixelOpus and its PS5 project, which has been in development for more than two years. We didn’t know much about this project other than that it was an Unreal Engine 5 game developed in collaboration with Sony Pictures Animation.

The blur around the future of employees

Faced with this harsh reality, emotions are running high: if Sony has multiplied acquisitions since 2021, no studio is immune. ” I like to think that with Concrete Genie we made the world a little bit better and few games today get a chance to try that. I will always be grateful to have created imaginative worlds with this incredible team.

‘ writes, for example, Bob Archibald, environmental artist at PixelOpus.

On the other hand, we don’t yet know for sure whether staff in other studios in the stable will be able to recover or whether layoffs are to be expected. ” The talent of this talent really blew me away. I mourn the loss of this wonderful team and a great project. I hope that we can all get back on our feet, preferably all together ‘ adds Mark Vernon, the studio’s game designer, hinting that Sony will be fully divested of this small team.