Sony Liverpool/Psygnosis to Shut Down
By Joseph Christ on August 22nd, 2012 (8 comments)
This seems to be a week for news of old icons shutting their doors forever. First we had Nintendo Power and now we have Sony Liverpool, or as we knew it during the PS1 era, Psygnosis, shutting down for good.
The closing is said to be part of Sony's wider reorganization and effects mainly the development team at the Liverpool location. Sony Liverpool will continue to exist but only as a holding space for financial offices, the Xdev team and other administration or localization functions.
PlayStation Europe had this to offer, "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."
They aren't kidding. Psygnosis was a huge part of the Ps1 era having developed titles like G-Police, Colony Wars and Wipeout. And I remember them fondly as one of my favorite developers of that time. G-Police, though criticized for its huge amount of pop-in, was a fantastic Scifi open world title for the time, and Colony Wars felt like a first person Homeworld. You know...space sims...a genera that really doesn't even exist anymore.
Any good news is welcome, and it seems as though Sony is looking to relocate current staff to other parts of the business, but Psygnosis as we know it is no more. Today, pour out your first sip for your fallen brothers.
Joseph Christ
Joseph Christ is the Reviews Editor and a Podcast Personality at 4Player. Specializing in reviews, editorials, drinking, and saying inappropriate things about gaming franchises that are beloved by millions, his satirical and sometimes edgy style offsets a more serious and penetrating substance lurking below the surface. He is also the host of the Cocktail Time Podcast. You'll follow his Twitter if you know what's good for you.
|
Follow Us
|
Back to the Top
|
|
|
© 2012 4Player Network All rights reserved |
Log in or sign up |
Colony Wars is one of the best things. Goddamnit we need more space games and Sony's not helping here.
Link / ReplyAs much as I would love more space games, hell I would kill for a new Freespace game. But, they just don't sell well enough to catch the attention of the big publishers. Anyways this week has been crappy, first Nintendo Power being shut down, then the Popcap layoffs and now this....I hate to see whats next.
Link / ReplyYeah there are very few space games. The only one I can think of, with any promise, is X:Rebirth. The older entries in the X series have major UI issues. If you can get past that, it's a good free roam space game. If anyone knows of a better space game, list it.
Link / ReplyNo more Wipeout? This is a sad day indeed.
Link / ReplySony owns the rights, not a single studio. They'll just give it to someone else to make.
Link / Replyso many good ones gone,Ensemble, Pandemic,and so on.
Link / ReplyDamn shame, I loved Team Buddies when I was younger. Granted that game is a rarity now.
Link / ReplyIn all fairness, look at all the comments about this studio. "I missed (insert near 20 year old game here)" is being used as the sad point. They haven't done much since, so it's not much to say it's not a bad move on Sony's part.
Link / ReplyNew Comment