Sony closing Psygnosis

[H4ss4n]

UPDATE: Studio was working on next-gen Wipeout say sources
Studio Liverpool

development.scee.net


UPDATE

A reliable source has told Eurogamer the studio was working on a "dramatically different" Wipeout title for the next PlayStation console. It had been in production for over a year and was said to be "far along."
They were also told, by a different source, that a title using LA Noire style motion capture and centred around gangsters was also in the works.
Sony has issued an official statement confirming the closure of Studio Liverpool.
"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," it reads.
"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."

Original story

Reports are circulating, supposedly confirmed by Sony at source, that Studio Liverpool has closed, ending 28 years of development.
According to CVG, Michael Denny visited the office on Wednesday to confirm that the time had come to shutter the developer. Sony are said to be looking to relocate as many staff as possible internally.
Just two years ago, Sony cancelled a number of projects in development at the base, citing a need for "project prioritisation".
"It has been decided that production on a number of projects within Studio Liverpool will cease immediately due to project prioritisation," read a statement at the time.
"Our North West Studio Group has been and will continue to be a vital cog in the WWS family, with a history of producing genre defining games such as MotorStorm, WipEout, Formula 1 and WRC and this decision will have no impact of the role that the North West Studio Group will play in the future of all PlayStation platforms."
Sony has been contacted for an official statement regarding the situation.
Founded as Psygnosis in 1984, the studio had become best known for the Wipeout series, a Sony staple which has graced every one of the platform holders machines since debuting on the original PlayStation in 1995. The studio's most recent release was Wipeout 2048 for the Vita.





http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...udio-liverpool

[Ashley]

Great memories of their old stuff such a shame.

[SiE]

That's really sad

[Sanj[UK]]

wipeout 2097 is a legendary game. The soundtrack was amazing.

[Chubbs]

Great memories of their old stuff such a shame.

Agree, classic Amiga games but aren't they all about Wip3out these days?

Shadow of the Beast - remember that!

[djm2k1]

Their first batch of games on the Playstation were brilliant. Destruction Derby, Wip3out, Krazy Ivan, Assault Rigs etc. I'm kind of partial to them, as aside from the people that I've met from the place being absolutely lovely people, they dropped a whole load of goodies at my door after winning the "Playstation Psygnosis Challenge" in HMV (goodies = another playstation, all psygnosis games, years subscription to PSM, 16" widescreen TV and a small Sony midi stereo...phew!). Like I say, lovely people

I remember at the time that we were playing on a Blue Playstation due to Assault Rigs or Krazy Ivan not being released - ah, those were the days.

[flik]

Anyone for Wipeout 720 ?

[cyprus]

From Wiki

3D Lemmings 3D Lemmings Winterland 3X: The Science of War Adidas Power Soccer The Adventures of Lomax Agony Air Support All New World of Lemmings Alundra Amnios Anarchy Aquaventura Armour-Geddon Armour-Geddon 2: Codename Hellfire Assault Rigs Atomino Attack of the Saucerman Awesome Baal Ballistix Barbarian Barbarian II Benefactor Bill's Tomato Game Blast Radius Blood Money Bloodwych Blue Ice Bob's Bad Day Bram Stoker's Dracula Brataccas (1985) Brian the Lion The Carl Lewis Challenge Captain Fizz Meets The Blaster-Trons Carthage Christmas Lemmings (also known as Holiday Lemmings) Chronicles of the Sword Chrono Quest City of Lost Children Colony Wars Colony Wars: Vengeance Colony Wars: Red Sun Combat Air Patrol Creepers Cytron Darker Darkstalkers (PlayStation port) Daughter of Serpents Deadline (1996) Deep Space Defcon 5 Destruction Derby

Destruction Derby 2 Destruction Derby 64 Destruction Derby Raw Diggers 2: Extractors Discworld Discworld II: Mortality Bytes! (except Saturn version) Drakan: Order of the Flame Eagle One: Harrier Attack Ecstatica Ecstatica II Eliminator Expert Pool Formula 1 Formula 1 97 Formula 1 98 Formula One 99 Formula One 2000 G-Police G-Police: Weapons of Justice Global Domination Globdule Guilty Hired Guns Infestation Innocent Until Caught The Killing Game Show (a.k.a. Fatal Rewind) Kingsley's Adventure Krazy Ivan Lander Last Action Hero Leander Lemmings Lemmings 2: The Tribes Lemmings Paintball Lemmings Revolution Lifeforce Tenka Mary Shelley's Frankenstein Matrix Marauders Menace Metal Fatigue Microcosm Misadventures of Flink Monster Trucks Nations: Fighter Command Nevermind Nitro Novastorm O.D.T. - Escape... Or Die Trying Obitus Obliterator

Oh No! More Lemmings Ork Overboard! Panzer Elite (Panzer Elite by Pygnosis is NOT the same as Panzer Elite by JoWood) Perihelion: The Prophecy Prime Mover Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow and the Flame Pro 18 World Tour Golf Psybadek Puggsy Pyrotechnica Rascal Rastan Retro Force Ring Cycle, The Riot Roll Away Rollcage Rollcage Stage II Rollcage: Limited Edition Rosco McQueen Firefighter Extreme Rush Hour The Second Samurai Sentient Sentinel Returns Shadow Master Shadow of the Beast (1989) Shadow of the Beast II (1990) Shadow of the Beast III: Out of the Shadow (1992) Shipwreckers! Speedster Spice World Stryx Team Buddies Tellurian Defense Terrorpods Theatre of Death Thunder Truck Rally Toy Story Tricks N' Treasures Walker Wipeout Wipeout 64 Wipeout: 2097/Wipeout XL Wipeout 3 Wipeout 3: Special Edition Wiz 'n' Liz: The Frantic Wabbit Wescue X-It Zombieville

[kez m]

when ps was released i went to a trade event in manchester and
Psygnosis were there truly amazing this is such a shame

[macmilm]

I remember back in the old Amiga days (i think) that when you saw the Psygnosis logo popup when a game was loading you got a bit excited cos you knew it was probably gonna be good....
Sad sad times!!!!