And so 2013 draws to a close. And what a year it’s been in the world of videogames. Of course, you couldn’t move for top drawer titles, no matter where your specific tastes lay. But beyond that, we also welcomed PS4 into the world, ushering in a thrilling new era of play.
As perhaps you can imagine, it’s been an incredibly busy year here at PlayStation. Duly, just before everyone signed off for a few days of well-earned festive respite, I spoke to a number of key figures from SCEE, Sony Worldwide Studios and our partners in the indie world, to find out what their highlights of the past 12 months were, and what they have planned for 2014.
Read on below, and please do chime in with your own picks in the comments below. And whatever your plans for New Year’s Eve are, have a great night and a prosperous 2014. Normal service will resume here on PlayStation Blog starting January 6th. See you all then!
Nathan Grayson writes: "Depending on where you’re standing, the video game industry is in a state of caterpillar-like transformation into something new or a full-on crisis. Funding is scarce. Companies are rife with mismanagement. If a big game flops, execs often ensure that it takes entire studios with it. But perhaps, some observers have suggested, this is merely a course correction. Last year was a goldmine of breakout indie hits like Balatro, Manor Lords, Palworld, Animal Well, and 1000xResist; maybe it’s time for the meek to inherit the industry. Problem is, indies need money, too – a lot more than you might think. On the latest episode of You Are Error, we discuss that not-so-little stumbling block and how one of gaming’s foundational myths, the solo indie dev, helped get us here."
Paul Rustchynsky, who was additionally lead designer on several MotorStorm titles at Sony‘s Evolution Studios, is currently working on an unannounced project as part of Avalanche Studios’ new Liverpool development team, which was formed last summer.
We're working on another new IP that's yet to be announced. There are more projects being worked on at Avalanche than most people would expect!
— Paul Rustchynsky (@Rushy33) January 1, 2022
Nice. I really like Avalanche's Apex system, it can make some pretty stunning environments. Hopefully it'll translate well into a racing game! (assuming that's what he's working on)
Yea, I see he posted a different tweet clarifying that now, but that was not posted in this original tweet or any of the replies. I apologize for not scrolling through all of his Twitter account.Thanks.
Motorstorm 2 deserves a remaster.
The balanced monster trucks vs dirt bikes.
I would be happy with just that at 60fps... but... if it were a new game with course maker, 50 cars racing at the same time, focusing on Pacific Rift and Monument Valley... I would feel way better
That sounds like alotta extra work for content nobody is clamoring for.
Classic maps for me please. I actually want the game to release.
"To set some expectations, I'm not working on a racing game.
So sorry, no DRIVECLUB sequel, MotorStorm successor or ONRUSH offshoot.
This is something very different to anything I've worked on before"
So it will not be a racing game. That's a shame. :(
Agreed. Driveclub and Motorstorm were great games and deserve sequels. Onrush was fun for me as well. I wonder what type of game he will unveil when the time comes.
Damn, i hoped a DC or Motorstorm sequel... :( let's see what they can pull out from the hat.
The wave of departures affecting Sony Japan Studio is continuing, and today Gavin Moore announced that he has left the team on Twitter.
It's a shame what Sony is doing with Japan studios. Jim Ryan only thinks in short term money.
Sorry for my ignorance but what is with the mass exodus from Japan studios? Seems like everyone is leaving in the past month or two?
My guess?
Jim Ryan doesn't think their projects are profitable and he's stripping the charm out of their projects and not allowing for creative freedom and the devs just aren't with that.
I'm genuinely worried about the impact of Ryan at the helm. Maybe it's not him and it's other things... But I simply do not believe these departures are by chance. Ryan clearly has a different vision for PlayStation and the same studio that puts out the most charming and creative games at PlayStation is seeing an exodus. This studio is also not known for bringing in strong sales, unfortunately. Sadly, I think that is the calculation Ryan is making and he's cracking down on projects that may have a ton of soul and creativity and fun, if they don't look like they have the mass appeal of a game like, say, Uncharted or God of War.
Genuinely upsetting. Japan studio was, quite literally, my favorite Playstation studio. Their games are so unique and their team has made some of the simplest yet brilliant experiences in my gaming life. It sounds hyperbolic, but it's sincerely heartbreaking to think about this happening. That said, if these devs all stay together and find their footing as an independent studio, I would gladly throw money at their projects.
you know exactly what is happening inside Japan Studio ? ...and you r sorry ? .....from their works these guys had minimum success/creativity ...Puppeteer is like an uncosistent paper mario game on a damn PS3 ..they just wasting its power
.i say it is for the better as AstroBot is looking exactly what Playstation needed .....they may even hiring more talented guys to work and just firing the old horses
Certainly no reason for such a talented guy to hang around a dead studio. Great job, Sony.
Replies(2)The guy is out of work during a global pandemic. While I’m sure he’ll be ok given his vast experience, others won’t be so lucky. Would hardly call that a ‘great job’.
Somehow you think I'm praising Sony because a "talented guy" is having to leave a "dead studio"? Are you really that thick-headed?
Hopefully he will start up a new game studio, because the world needs more talented Japanese game studios.
Puppeteer was awesome and very creative, hope there will be more games like that.
Jim Ryan is going to slowly but surely destroy everything PlayStation has established so far.
