Sony has quietly shut down PixelOpus, one of their first-party PlayStation Studios. Based in San Mateo, California, the studio responsible for 2014 wrapped in each other and in 2019 Concrete Genie.
News of this first broke a Twitter post from the studioexpressed the team’s gratitude to the players who enjoyed their games.
“Dear friends, our PixelOpus adventure is over. As we look to the new future, we want to say a big thank you to the millions of passionate players who have supported us and our mission to create beautiful, imaginative games with all the heart. heart. We are so grateful!”
Sony did not immediately comment on the public closure but later confirmed in a statement to IGN In fact, PixelOpus will be shutting down on June 2nd.
“PlayStation Studios regularly evaluates the portfolio and health of studio projects to ensure they meet the organization’s short- and long-term strategic goals,” the company said. IGN. “As part of our recent review, we have decided that PixelOpus will close on June 2.”
PixelOpus is a small team within the giant PlayStation Studios, has less than 20 employees as of 2019. The studio’s breakout game is 2019 Concrete Genie on PS4, it looks gorgeous and has great drawing mechanics, but its speed feel a little heavy, even with a quick run time of five hours or so. Before closing, Pixelopus was working on a project with Sony Pictures Animationbut we still don’t know if that game is still being worked on with another team or has been canceled altogether.
It’s a sad ending for a talented studio, but feels quite fitting Sony turns tough with blockbuster blockbusters at all costs. In addition to shutting down PixelOpus, the company Closing Japan Studio in 2021, has launched some more experimental work in the PlayStation’s first-party ecosystem. It’s a shame, and while there are still some studios doing great things in places like Media Molecule, there’s definitely a void in Sony’s catalog without it.
