Sony Launches New AAA PlayStation Studio

Summary

• Sony has opened a new PlayStation studio in Los Angeles, California, as confirmed by a recent job listing.
• The newly-established internal PlayStation studio is working on a high-profile original AAA IP for PS5.
• Speculation suggests that the new PlayStation studio could be for a Bungie spin-off team or former Deviation Games co-founder Jason Blundell's team.

Sony Interactive Entertainment has recently expanded its first-party development capabilities by opening a new AAA game studio in Los Angeles, California. This exciting development marks the 20th studio under the PlayStation first-party umbrella, and it's currently working on a highly anticipated, original AAA IP for the PS5.

PlayStation's first-party studios have long been celebrated as some of the most prestigious in the gaming world, consistently generating buzz around their projects. Fans eagerly await updates from industry giants like Santa Monica Studio, Naughty Dog, and Insomniac Games. In recent years, PlayStation has further bolstered its lineup by acquiring well-established partners such as Housemarque, Bluepoint Games, and Firesprite. Now, a new, yet-to-be-named studio is poised to capture the attention of PlayStation enthusiasts.

Located in Los Angeles, California, this newly-established studio is tasked with developing a "ground-breaking" original AAA IP. The confirmation of this project came via a job listing for a Project Senior Producer, which explicitly mentioned a "newly-established AAA studio" in Los Angeles. Speculation is rife about the origins of this studio, with one theory suggesting it might house a spin-off team from Bungie working on the Gummybears incubation project. This project was announced during the Bungie layoffs in July 2024, where 155 staff members were integrated into Sony Interactive Entertainment over subsequent quarters.

PlayStation's Newest Internal Studio Might Have Been Salvaged From a Failed Partnership

Another compelling theory revolves around Jason Blundell, a prominent figure known for his work on Call of Duty: Black Ops. Blundell co-founded Deviation Games, which was initially working on a new AAA IP for PS5. However, internal challenges led to Blundell's departure in 2022, and the studio closed in March 2024. Interestingly, by May 2024, many former Deviation Games employees were found to have joined PlayStation, forming a new team led by Blundell.

Given that Blundell's team has been in development longer than the Bungie spin-off, it's plausible that PlayStation's new internal studio is home to this group. While the exact nature of Blundell's project remains a mystery, fans speculate it might involve continuing or rebooting Deviation Games' original AAA project. Although it may be years before Sony officially unveils details about this new studio, the gaming community is thrilled to know that another PlayStation first-party title is on the horizon.