PlayStation's Secret Los Angeles Studio: A New AAA IP in the Works
Sony Interactive Entertainment has quietly established a new, 20th first-party AAA game studio in Los Angeles, California. This revelation comes via a recent job posting for a Project Senior Producer, confirming the existence of a "newly-established AAA studio" working on a groundbreaking original IP for the PS5.
The news generates considerable excitement, adding to the already impressive lineup of PlayStation's renowned first-party developers like Naughty Dog, Insomniac Games, and Santa Monica Studio. Sony's recent acquisitions of studios like Housemarque, Bluepoint Games, and Firesprite demonstrate a commitment to expanding its first-party development capabilities. This new, unannounced studio represents another significant addition.
Two Leading Theories Regarding the Studio's Origins:
Speculation points to two potential sources for this new team:
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A Bungie Spin-off: Following Bungie layoffs in July 2024, a significant number of employees transitioned to Sony Interactive Entertainment. One theory suggests this new studio houses a team originating from Bungie's Gummybears incubation project.
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The Jason Blundell Team: Veteran Call of Duty developer Jason Blundell, formerly co-founder of the now-defunct Deviation Games, is another strong candidate. Deviation Games was developing a PS5 AAA title before its closure in March 2024. However, many former Deviation Games employees subsequently joined PlayStation, leading to speculation that Blundell's team forms the core of this new Los Angeles studio. Given the longer gestation period of Blundell's team, this theory holds considerable weight.
While the exact nature of the project remains shrouded in secrecy, fans anticipate the possibility of a continuation or reimagining of Deviation Games' abandoned AAA project. Regardless of its origins, the confirmation of another first-party PlayStation studio is welcome news, promising exciting new games for PS5 in the years to come. It's likely to be some time before Sony officially unveils details about this secretive studio and its upcoming title.
