Studio Liverpool: Lemmings to the slaughterhouse
Following rumours over at GRcade, Sony has issued a statement, officially announcing they’ve closed down Studio Liverpool, the publisher and developer that was formerly known as Psygnosis.
“As part of SCE Worldwide Studios, we do regular reviews to ensure that the resources we have can create and produce high quality, innovative and commercially viable projects in an increasingly competitive market place. As part of this process, we have reviewed and assessed all current and planned projects for the short and medium term and have decided to make some changes to our European Studios.
“It has been decided that Liverpool Studio should be closed. Liverpool Studio has been an important part of SCE Worldwide Studios since the outset of PlayStation, and have contributed greatly to PlayStation over the years. Everyone connected with Liverpool Studio, past and present, can be very proud of their achievements.
“However, it was felt that by focusing our investment plans on other Studios that are currently working on exciting new projects, we would be in a stronger position to offer the best possible content for our consumers. Our Liverpool Facility will continue to operate, housing a number of other vital WWS!E and SCEE Departments.
“This should not take anything away from the great work WWS are doing and the incredible games and services that we have made, and continue to make.”
Studio Liverpool started back in 1984 as Psygnosis and earned its name as publisher with DMA Design’s Lemmings series. Later on, the studio became famous also for the WipeOut series of futuristic arcade racers. Other games from Studio Liverpool include Shadow of the Beast, Colony Wars, G-Police, the Discworld games, and Destruction Derby. The last game released by the company was WipeOut 2048 which was one of the launch titles for the Playstation Vita.
When Sony closed shop this morning, they also cancelled the projects the studio was working on. According to a Eurogamer source, these were a PS4 version of WipeOut as well as a Splinter Cell style game that would use motion capture technology similar to that used for Team Bondi’s L.A. Noire.
Sony has announced they’re looking into relocating some of Studio Liverpool’s former staff, but redundancies will be unavoidable.
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