PlayStation Unveils New AAA Studio in Los Angeles
Sony Interactive Entertainment has quietly established a new, unannounced AAA game studio in Los Angeles, California. This marks the 20th first-party studio under the PlayStation umbrella and is currently developing a major, original IP for the PlayStation 5. The news comes via a recent job posting for a Project Senior Producer.
The addition of this Los Angeles-based studio adds to PlayStation's already impressive roster of first-party developers, including industry giants like Naughty Dog, Insomniac Games, and Santa Monica Studio. Recent acquisitions such as Housemarque, Bluepoint Games, and Firesprite have further expanded PlayStation's development capabilities. This new, mystery studio promises another exciting addition to the PlayStation family.
The studio's project is described as a "groundbreaking" original AAA title. Speculation regarding the studio's origins centers on two possibilities:
Possibility 1: A Bungie Spin-off
One theory suggests the studio may be comprised of a team spun off from Bungie following layoffs in July 2024. Approximately 155 Bungie employees transitioned to Sony Interactive Entertainment, and this new studio could be the culmination of that integration, potentially working on Bungie's previously announced "Gummybears" incubation project.
Possibility 2: Jason Blundell's Team
Another strong contender is a team led by industry veteran Jason Blundell, formerly a co-founder of Deviation Games. Deviation Games, which was developing a AAA PS5 title, unfortunately closed in March 2024. However, many former Deviation Games employees subsequently joined PlayStation, forming a new team under Blundell's leadership. Given the longer gestation period of this team, it's a plausible candidate for the new Los Angeles studio. The new project might even be a continuation or reimagining of Deviation Games' previous work.
While Sony remains tight-lipped about the studio's identity and its project, the confirmation of a new first-party studio developing a AAA title is exciting news for PlayStation fans. While an official announcement may be years away, the anticipation builds for this latest addition to PlayStation's impressive game development lineup.
