Jade Raymond has been around the block of late, having recently led Stadia’s internal development efforts – before Google pulled the plug. As part of a PlayStation Blog post, she’s expressed her desire to refocus on making games – and she’s established a new independent studio named Haven, which is working on an unannounced IP with Sony’s backing.
“We want to create worlds where players can escape, have fun, express themselves, and find community,” she said. “We want to pour our passion into a project. We want to make something wondrous for people to experience. Because we believe in the power of games to bring joy to people’s lives. And Sony does, too. Their commitment to excellence is unmatched. It’s why I couldn’t be happier for their backing and support.”
We’re reading between the lines a little, but this sounds similar to what Sony did with Kojima Productions and Death Stranding: the team is independent, but PlayStation’s helping it to find its feet. It sounds like it’ll end up publishing whatever project Haven dreams up. Obviously, it’s still early days, so it’ll be a while before we see anything concrete from the team.
“Together, we want to create games that are a haven for players, and we want to build a studio that is a haven for developers,” Raymond concluded. “So, while we don’t have many details to announce today, I want the PlayStation community to know that Haven is already hard at work on an unannounced IP. We can’t wait to show you more!”
Hermen Hulst, who's in charge of PlayStation Studios, added: “Sony Interactive Entertainment is proud to support and invest in Haven and its future. We understand the challenges and rewards of building creative teams from the ground up, as does Jade with her wealth of experience helming many of gaming’s biggest franchises. We’re confident in and excited for the bright future of Haven Studios and its first project, currently in development.”
[source blog.playstation.com]
Comments 30
That's good news. I look forward to a great game.
I suppose we won't know what it is for a while but more studios making Sony games is good news for sure
Sony is super smart announce this after Microsoft Bethesda deal complete I see you Sony 👀.
@velio84 he took over from Shu a few years ago now!
@velio84 if the game haven making end up being super successful Sony will probably buy them.
This could be really great. As long as it actually comes to fruition. I wonder if Shannon Studsthill will come back too?
A new studio helmed by a veteran that Sony is supporting for a new IP.
Nice one, nice to hear after all the doom & gloom of the slow closing of Sony Japan studio (RIP).
Hi there fellow gamers.
This are some really good news.
More new studios making videogames and in this case, a new IP for PS5? With Jade Raymond at the helm?
In the words of Kazuma Kiryu: "That´s Rad!"
Hope it´s something cool and exciting.
All the best Haven Studios. Make awesome games and we will buy them and play them.
Cheers, stay safe good people and happy gaming to us all
This article is severely lacking a Jade Raymond pic.
Excellent news, good luck Jade & Haven Studios!!
Raymond deserves a win after the crap she's been through the last few years.
3rd time lucky. Pretty sure her last two efforts since leaving Ubisoft were cancelled. Who knows, maybe she has taken a lot of the ideas she had been working on at Stadia and brought them forward into this project? Doubt we will hear much about this until 2023/4 though
I would love too see lots of studio's stay independent its not a good development that every studio is with one of the big three. And im not complaining about the Sony or Microsoft, Nintendo making games with their internal studio's or invest too make a game for the platform.
@ApostateMage I know! Where's the sexy Jade Raymond pic that each story involving her demands?
Sounds good, can't help but feel Sony should go the whole hog and then acquire the studio outright.
If it's a mega hit, they run the risk of the company being gobbled up by EA, Microsoft, T2 etc... If Sony bought Kojima productions outright, there'd be a lot less acquisition rumours/concerns going around.
That's the way you do it. This is how you do gamers consumer friendly.
I instantly thought its similar to the way Sony helped Kojima studio.
Bonus points that getting the name of the studio into the statement. Like when an actor says the name of the film as part of the dialogue.
I'm excited that Sony is investing in Jade Raymond and her new Studio. The woman has talent and I'm sure she has skilled individuals around her. Google was a waste of her time and skill, and I'm excited to see what new IP she has for Sony in the future.
The name Haven makes me instantly think of holiday caravan parks in the UK.
Always appreciate a new IP so I look forward to seeing whatever this ends up being.
Everybody loves Raymond!!
Looking forward to whatever they are cooking over there...
Always nice to see more new IPs in the making...
Should be investing in first party, not third party exclusives.
For those unaware Jade Raymond has been a producer behind the first two Assassin's Creed games, the first Watch Dogs and so far last Splinter Cell. She also help found EA Motive before she left to go to Stadia. Her talents are more building and maintaining AAA studios rather her being a creative like a Kojima etc. So will be interesting who she has at Haven.
@Pip_Muzz I mostly agree with you but building up a AAA studio from scratch is a big financial risk when you take into account facilitates, equipment and hiring staff let alone the cost of development and marketing. It's why when you look at Sony's previous acquisitions it's usually with studios they have previously worked with like Media Molecule, Guerrilla Games, Sucker Punch and Insomniac. It's possible they may have a contract clause where Sony have the option to buy them if the partnership works out.
@4kgk2 This doesn't even come close to matching the level of what MS did.
The pretty girls always come to PlayStation Sounds good. Hopefully if the game is good then maybe SONY could buy them because I fear Microsoft will buy everything because there seems to be no one who will stop them ruining gaming for people who don't want to join(and be a slave of) Microsoft's ecosystem :-/
After Ubisoft, EA, and Google Stadia, I think she sees PlayStation as her haven.
@AdamNovice Very good point. There could easily be a clause in the contract for Sony to purchase the company at a later date, or at least have first option with the investment they're giving.
One thing I like about Sony is that they rarely cancel their games. I truly hope that whatever their trying to develop can finally reach gold status.
I like that Sony is still supporting third party studios without buying them outright. Although, a new studio or two a generation would be nice. What happened to that bluepoint deal? Did it fall through?
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...