Sony's Secret Los Angeles Studio: A New AAA IP in the Works
Sony Interactive Entertainment has quietly established a new AAA game studio in Los Angeles, California. This marks their 20th first-party studio and adds to PlayStation's already impressive lineup of development houses. The studio's existence was revealed through a recent job posting for a Project Senior Producer. While the studio remains unnamed, the listing confirms the development of a groundbreaking, original AAA IP for the PS5.
The news has generated significant excitement among PlayStation fans, who eagerly anticipate updates on projects from established studios like Naughty Dog, Insomniac Games, and Santa Monica Studio. Sony's strategic acquisitions of studios like Housemarque, Bluepoint Games, and Firesprite in recent years have further fueled this anticipation.
Two Leading Theories on the Studio's Origins:
Several theories speculate on the new studio's origins. One prominent theory suggests it's comprised of a Bungie spin-off team. Following Bungie layoffs in July 2024, 155 employees transitioned to Sony Interactive Entertainment, potentially forming the core of this new Los Angeles-based team.
Another strong contender is the team led by industry veteran Jason Blundell. Blundell, known for his work on Call of Duty: Black Ops, co-founded Deviation Games, which was developing a PS5 AAA title before its closure in March 2024. Interestingly, many former Deviation Games employees joined PlayStation in May 2024, under Blundell's leadership, suggesting this could be the foundation of the new studio. Given the longer gestation period of Blundell's team, this theory holds significant weight. The project may be a continuation or reboot of Deviation Games' previous work.
Regardless of its exact origins, the existence of this new studio assures fans that another exciting PlayStation first-party title is in development. While an official announcement from Sony may be some time away, the speculation alone is enough to keep PlayStation enthusiasts engaged.