Sony Closes Part Of Wipeout Studio
See Full ImageSometimes in business, these things happen.
As Eurogamer reported this morning, Sony has opted to close part of Wipeout studio Sony Liverpool.
It started with the franchise's Facebook page, saying the Wipeout Team would no longer be updating and adding- "As some of you may have heard Sony have chosen to close Studio Liverpool as of today" and "We have loved making every game, every minute and every one of you. Keep the faith, keep loving WipEout." Sony later confirmed the closing but clarified that the only part of the Liverpool campus that is closing is the WWSE Team. The campus will keep FQA, GFPQA, XDev, CSG-Video, localization services, and WSE Finance, as well as other departments.
Furthermore, a Sony spokesperson said the company would attempt to relocate those affected by the closing, although unfortunately, "some redundancies will be necessary." Well, there's always a silver lining to such news, right? For the record, Wipeout has always been awesome; the series has maintained a super high quality bar for many years, and that isn't easy to do. Kudos on a job well done.
Here's the final part of Sony's official statement on the matter:
"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."
Tags: sony liverpool, wipeout, wipeout developer, sony
8/22/2012 10:32:23 AM Ben Dutka
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Comments (10 posts)
Highlander
Wednesday, August 22, 2012 @ 12:44:23 PM
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The thing is that they are talented developers and will surely find places elsewhere in Sony, particularly as they most recently implemented the top notch Wipeout for Vita.
2 up, 1 down
Shams
Wednesday, August 22, 2012 @ 1:05:49 PM
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I would've gladly traded PS Move, 3D, and even Vita initiatives just so Studio Liverpool could keep on pushing out wipeouts!!!
This is a sad day for me. Granted, Wipeout is still a Sony IP, and not the whole of Studio Liverpool has been shut down (whatever that means), but ever since the first Wipeout, Studio Liverpool has kept me attached to the Sony brand over others. Sure, Sony has gained quite a number of compelling, top quality, 1st and 2nd party developed IPs, but man, was Wipeout a very important one for me...
2 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Wednesday, August 22, 2012 @ 1:47:58 PM
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Last edited by BikerSaint on 8/22/2012 1:50:25 PM
1 up, 0 down
Highlander
Wednesday, August 22, 2012 @ 5:57:05 PM
1 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Thursday, August 23, 2012 @ 5:44:44 AM
You're probably right, & I sure hope you are.
Last edited by BikerSaint on 8/23/2012 5:44:56 AM
0 up, 0 down
Axe99
Thursday, August 23, 2012 @ 4:41:48 AM
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1 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Thursday, August 23, 2012 @ 5:46:47 AM
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Agreed, & I still own a ton of their old Psygnosis games.
1 up, 0 down
DanManMain
Thursday, August 23, 2012 @ 6:25:32 AM
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0 up, 0 down
___________
Thursday, August 23, 2012 @ 7:30:46 AM
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seriously $ony?
what the hell!
they close down one of their most famous, most beloved, best studios!
and if rumours are right one that has been working on launch ps4 titles for ONE AND A HALF YEARS!
wow, before it was just a hunch but now im convinced.
$ony WANTS to go bankrupt!
wipeout is one of their best franchises, and liverpool is one of their best studios!
this is a epicly stupid move!
if their so tight for money maybe they should stop wasting it on crappy kids games, and creating whole studios for them!
and more on funding their family studios which have been with them since the familys creation!
1 up, 0 down
sawao_yamanaka
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Wednesday, August 22, 2012 @ 10:53:18 AM