40°

Q&A: Former WipeOut Developers At Firesprite Look To What's Next

Sony shut down its storied first-party development house Studio Liverpool back in August 2012, leaving a lot of really talented UK developers -- folks who had worked on games like WipeOut -- out of a job.

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gamasutra.com
150°

Sony's Firesprite Dark Horror Game to Be From an Established IP, Potentially Releasing on PC Day One

PlayStation first-party studio Firesprite's dark horror game is from an established IP, and seems to be targeting a PC release on day one.

RaidenBlack318d ago

First, I thought, maybe some special Silent Hills spin-off collab?
But Siren? Whoa, nice.

Neonridr318d ago

Wish these guys were still making VR stuff.

-Foxtrot317d ago

Sony really dosent have to do day one PC unless it’s GaaS

Lightning77317d ago

If this is true then Sony went back on Their word in saying they won't do day one on PC unless it's gaas games.

Maybe this was a specific studio decision who knows. Either way we gotta wait and see.

ravens52317d ago (Edited 317d ago )

@Foxtrot. Yeah. I personally don't think it'd be a good idea to, but we'll see; if this is true.

purple101316d ago

ohh good call - and hey, we can also hope for Twisted Metal, thats horror - right😉

Michiel1989316d ago

there was something about that game that made it feel so unique, maybe the descriptions in power unlimited were just too good haha.

twisted metal horror sounds about right, the show definitely added some of that

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370°

Sony studio Firesprite has been shedding talent amidst accusations of toxic culture, staff say

Eurogamer writes: "Sony-acquired studio Firesprite has recently suffered high profile exits amid accusations of a toxic workplace culture, Eurogamer has been told, as part of an investigation into the studio begun ahead of the layoffs announced by Sony this week."

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eurogamer.net
Neonridr477d ago

I hope whatever unannounced project they have going for them is still moving forward. Would hate to see this studio go down the drain as that would be a huge blow to the PSVR2 headset.

Abnor_Mal477d ago

PSVR2 already suffered a huge blow already with the closing of London Studio, anymore closures and the headset will just be good for PC users.

Kane22477d ago

neither studios were making PSVR2 games. so it didn't hurt PSVR2 at all

Abnor_Mal477d ago

@Kane22 While correct neither studio was currently making a PSVR2 game, it still hurts the PSVR2 because now Sony has one less in-house VR developer.

Now we will never get a PSVR2 update to Blood and Truth, which some people were looking forward to hearing some kind of news.

Cacabunga477d ago

Sony has reached an all time low this gen with their management and lack of 1st party games

ModsDoBetter477d ago

PSVR2 is a failure.

No matter what the fanboys in denial say, the proof is there.

anast477d ago

It wasn't a huge blow for VR games.

Babadook7476d ago (Edited 476d ago )

“PSVR2 is a failure.

No matter what the fanboys in denial say,”

No it’s not but your beloved Xbox sure is. PSVR2 is how I play almost all my content and it’s been a phenomenal first year. It’s not a failure yet and if Sony keeps it up it never will be.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 476d ago
purple101477d ago (Edited 477d ago )

Best to always spread positivity mate
Even when times are hard, or news is bad, try

VincentVanBro477d ago

??? you completely misunderstood the comment you replied to lol

senorfartcushion477d ago

That stuff isn't going to ever happen to me so I don't care

Why are you so afraid though?

Anyway, you're ok. This is only something that happens in high-paying jobs. I doubt you have a high paying job

InUrFoxHole476d ago

Whelp... You gave it the old college try. Maybe next time?

CrashMania477d ago

If hope this can get sorted out, seemingly way too many egos and power trip people in gaming.

Duke19477d ago

Seriously - its wild how seemingly big of a problem it is in the gaming industry. Almost every article on the topic seems include some level of toxic culture.

Fishy Fingers477d ago

"While sources say Sony dismissed these complaints as a misunderstanding, Eurogamer understands some of those involved explored legal options to take the matter further, and have since received a financial payout from Sony. "

Ooof

ModsDoBetter477d ago

Sony dismissing complaints.
Not a good look.

476d ago
mastershredder476d ago

Firesprite not being able to handle their own environment and people is not the good look. Don't pass the buck.

ModsDoBetter476d ago

Pass the buck?
Had this been an Xbox studio, you know fine well what narrative you'd push @shredder.

Have some consistency.

477d ago Replies(3)
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170°

Sony’s Firesprite is moving to an office more than 20 times larger than its current one

The 10-year lease is the largest letting in Liverpool in three years.

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videogameschronicle.com
smashman981103d ago

I guess sony wasn't lying about expanding their current studios. I wonder what this will mean for the frequency of firesprite's VR output.

SullysCigar1102d ago

That was my first thought too. All signs pointing to Sony being deadly serious about PS VR2. This pleases me.

Eonjay1102d ago

For VR in general it's great to see companies continue to invest in high quality content for the medium. And here they are taking a proven studio and expanding it as an inhouse team. The more AAA love VR gets .. the better.

IanTH1103d ago (Edited 1103d ago )

Wow, that's some almost insane faith in them. Before they've shipped even one game since being acquired, and knowing the only other game they've got to their credit (VR or otherwise) is The Persistence. Given it's just that middling game from over 4 years ago, Sony must be damn impressed with what they're seeing on Call of the Mountain.

lodossrage1103d ago

They probably have faith in them because they are aware of the talent at the studio. Most of them use to work on games like Wipeout and Colony Wars for Sony. So the faith probably comes from familiarity

SullysCigar1102d ago

The Persistence was one of the best VR games around when it launched - and for some time afterwards.

It was designed from the ground up for VR and only felt "middling" when they re-engineered it for flat screen years later, showing it's age a little.

These guys are proven, but I suspect you're right that they've embedded that respect with Sony witnessing their work on the new Horizon VR game.

IanTH1102d ago (Edited 1102d ago )

You're right, saying middling was a little harsh. I should have gone with polarizing. Some people really liked it, other's didn't. VR reviews were generally positive, user reviews were kinda all over the map. It currently sits at mixed on Steam, but some of that is probably a move from "mostly positive" down to mixed from flat screen not being the best transition.

That said, I was surprised enough that Sony put one of their biggest franchises in the hands of a rather small, fairly unproven studio to begin with. The Persistence, even after its upgrade, still had some of the stodgier, old school designs and controls of an early VR game. It would have been nice if there was at least one more title after, if simply to prove that they've been able to keep up with the evolving expectations of VR.

The fact they are moving them into such a nice place before CotM has shipped was unexpected. Maybe they're going to give them more staff, and a move was simply necessary. I'm gonna hope this does mean good things for CotM, though.

ocelot071103d ago

I don't live far from Duke Street and the new Sony Office in the old Echo building. They have bumper cars in the top floor lol.

Michiel19891103d ago

either they got a badass studio now or they worked from a basement before this.

S2Killinit1102d ago

Give me that PSVR2 goodness.

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