Sony: It's Massively Important PS Studios Develops Games in Various Genres

It was the variety of games (from everyone and Sony) that brought me into playing PlayStation with the PS1 between the likes of Ridge racer, Tekken, Crash, MediEvil, Metal Gear Solid, Gran Turismo, Ape Escape, Resident Evil and many more. Astro Bot is a wonderful game that is a joyous celebration of PlayStation's history and gaming in general with nods to others such as Nintendo.

More like this please

Seems like they are (finally) emerging from the fog of the Jim Ryan era. Astro Bot came at the perfect time.. and what a game it is, I had high expectations and they've been blown away.. I played the mouse level last night and was laughing out loud.. easily my favorite ps5 game mot even close (have to stop myself ranting too much)

You mean that different players like different experiences and catering to as many different people as possible with many games so they buy your stuff is the key to success? Someone give that guy a raise! And close another studio to save a buck!

He's saying what Playstation fans want to hear, but does he truly believe it himself? I'm not convinced, but the next year or so will tell us a lot about the future direction of PS Studios.

@Ainu20 I'm not convinced either.. But he might not have a choice, the market might decide for him.

Is that it? I scrolled down and the article finished 😄😄

Sony has a huge backlog of games with lots of IP's that are recognizable which can easily be used. But with the launch of the ps5 Sony only seems to want to focus on new IP.

The diversified genre portfolio is what brought me to PS and away from Nintendo. You can find a top-notch, classic game in every genre when you’re a PlayStation gamer. I’m glad this is important to the folks at the top.

@Sequel you're acting like Astrobot wasn't greenlit by the same Jim Ryan you denounce. His live action initiatives might have been half baked, but you cannot deny the fantastic single player projects that became possible under his leadership.

@Rodimusprime1313 well apart from GT7, Horizon, Spider-Man, God of War, Sackboy, Demon Souls, TLoU, TLoU2, Ratchet & Clank, Uncharted, Ghost of Tsuschima, Death Stranding, MLB 24 and PSVR2 games, in 4 years. I know some are PS5 conversions but Sony has launched a whole platform in PSVR2 which is a huge chunk of time and money.

@Rodimusprime1313 How did you come to that conclusion? Since the launch of the PS5, we've seen new entries in the Horizon, God of War, Spider-Man, Gran Turismo, Ratchet & Clank and Astro IPs. And I'm not even counting non-PS Studios games that are still technically Sony IP, like Helldivers and Sackboy.

How are they only interested in new IP?

Maybe they should try true 3D platformers next (VR). I have a hunch Astro would be phenomenal for it.

He's right, they should diversify their first party published titles. Just not into live services.

Well we've had HellDivers 2, Astro Bot and soon to be Lego Horizon, games that are different to what they are known for lately.

Next bring back Ape Escape, Jak and Daxter and make a proper Little Big Planet 4.

If He feels that way then why doesn't he do something about the lack of First party Games in the RPG Fighting and Horror Genres also bring back Syphon Filter.

I also think they should be loaning out their older IP's to third party developers to make playstation exclusives whilst their own studio's work on what they do best.

I really hope they're successful so Sony will continue trying new things.

How about an arcade racer? I've owned every PlayStation since the PS1 and the PS5 is the only one without a decent arcade racer.

Sad, really.

This is the same Hermen Hulst who gushed profusely about how he was so impressed with Firewalk Studios and their Concord live service game, which led to Sony aquiring them. Yeah, that Concord game turned out great, Hermen. He gushed profusely about Haven Studios and Fairgame$ live service, which led to Sony aquiring them. We'll see how that turns out. Hermen Hulst is gushing about Asobi and Astro Bot but thankfully, that studio was part of Sony long before Hermen came into Sony, but he'll take credit for that, why not. This guy has a mixed track record.

@MrPeanutbutterz It's been awhile since the last Ridge Racer or a Wipeout game that wasn't a collection.

@Sequel The mouse power-up is next-level; totally unexpected, fluid, and SO fun! Such an incredible game!

@FlatwellSequoia Hermen Hulst has been at PlayStation For over 2 Decades.he was there when before team asobi became their own studio.

More Astro Bot less Concord please…

@NomNom Denouncing is a bit strong but I take your point. Ryan saw a lucrative market and wanted a piece. Fair play, he tried his hand. My criticism would be that so many resources were diverted. Asobi (as remnants of a now defunct Japan Studio) had to push for this game, they originally thought they were going to be R&D and had some success with tech demos, then offered themselves up to do the ps5 playroom demo. They knocked it out of the park so hard, and the gameplay and character was so loved they got the full game. I do feel this wasn't something PS was jumping at unlike the multi billion dollar brute force and acquisition battles for live service. They weren't aggressively looking for this but it happened organically - despite the new direction- not because of it.

@Sequel "Seems like they are (finally) emerging from the fog of the Jim Ryan era"

Comments like this baffle me.

Hulst is the man in who was in charge of first party development, exactly whose job did you think it was to monitor and steer their output? Hulst was just as much a part of the Ryan era, and Astro was mostly developed in that era.

@LowDefAl I'm not going to pretend to know the ins and outs of everyone's roles, I'm just a punter. But the live service push I thought was not a studio decision but a business one and would fall under Ryan's remit and oversight, I imagine Hulst then would facilitate that within the studios. Not really huslts push. Open to be corrected if wrong

Probably a good thing concord has next level flopped and astro has got universal critical acclaim just at about the same time

Well sony you had japan studio who makes lot of those games.and you shut down the studio.you cluld of bought sanzaru games etc.word up son

Playing the Aloy level of Astro now has me quite excited for Lego Horizon, more games like this are welcome

@StylesT the timing is very fortuitous. It's such good timing you'd be forgiven to think that it was a social experiment to see what gamers prefer; a single player, fan service game or a live service, politically charged, hero shooter. An expensive way to find out the obvious either way.

Good, given the amount of Ape Escape content I saw in Astro Bot I expect a new Ape Escape dropping soon.

I just only want they don't do crossover with their rated 18+ franchise in cartoon disguise when they make new kids games on PS5.
If the games meant for kids, it should be really meant for kids without any crossover from NSFW stuffs in disguise as something cartoon in kids games.
This era I really put my awareness as there are a lot of company did some crossover with certain franchise and a lot of crossover I found were not safe for kids but they still sell the crossover franchise as kids products. 🙄
I already seen a bad intention to poisoning the innocent kids with NSFW stuffs in disguise.

@DonJorginho
Long time ago, Sony can produce their 1st party kids games without any crossover from their 18+ franchise.
Let's say My Street on PS2, Sports Champions 1 & 2 on PS3, Carnival Island on PS3, Start the Party 1 & 2 on PS3, Eye toy games on PS2, Robo Jam on PS2, Sly Cooper games, etc.
I really miss those kind of games, the kids games without any crossover from other inappropriate franchise.

@Ainu20 It more their has been a shift after the launch of the ps4. For the ps1 to ps3 they have had original IP's yet after the ps4 all the older original Sony games are of little consequence. The only one that made the cut for the ps4 was God of War. Their were 3 Ratchet and Clank games for the ps2 and they were remastered for the ps3 and they had another 3 for the ps3. Their were the Jax games, and other they don't want to do much with. Their was Dark Could 1 and 2, launched for the ps2 and got ps3 and ps4 remasters. Even games that were previously exclusive on the ps3 and ps4 are getting multi consoles releases. I don't consider a remastered game to be a "new game". Basically Sony has I would estimate 30-40 IP titles for the Playstation from the ps1 - ps3 that they just sit on and occasionally create remasters.

@Sequel this game was in development for three years which means Jim Ryan green lit the game

I want JRPGS and Fire Emblem clones then please!

Which is why they closed a bunch down and almost all of their releases are single person action adventure games.

Does Hermen only realized that now cause I want an explanation from him of why he didn't greenlight a proposal to make a new RPG / Wild Arms from Wild Arms lead designer, Akifumi Kaneko?
https://www.resetera.com/threads/armed-fantasia-developers-ex-wild-arms-went-to-sony-over-and-over-again-but-got-rejected-everytime.634187/

Kaneko: "Of course there are still very popular JRPGs like Persona 5, but with Persona 5that's the fifth installment. If it's a part of series that already has a first game, it's alright, but when it comes to making a new JRPG, Japanese publishers just won't take the risk. In my case, I went to Sony over and over again, but nothing came of it. It's not so much that JRPGs aren't popular, its that publishers won't let us make them."

I bet Hermen doesn't greenlight Patapon 4 too since the creator used kickstarter to make Patapon spiritual successor, Ratatan.

Jimbo is a big problem which i'm glad he's gone. But i feel Hermen is another big problem that's blocking PS studio creativity. I'm not surprised if he had half his hands on Japan Studio and London Studio closure.

@Anti-Matter Sony are still doing these kinda games with Horizon LEGO Adventures though no? And Sackboy - A Big Adventure on launch.

There’s a few swords and guns in Astro Bot but this is no different to LEGO Lord Of The Rings or LEGO Marvel Superheroes, and unlike those two games, the guns just seem to shoot darts from animations I’ve seen, and the swords aren’t usable at all so far.

Make another Marble Madness.

Seems like the only flavor anyone around here knows is BITTER!

Yes. Astrobot is so refreshing. I hope they keep it bizarre. Third person moping is not always the way.

I think it sounds like they're starting to understand. Maybe its wishful thinking but I hope they can remember it is better to focus on the people that buy games rather than appealing to investors and outdated data trends

@PuppetMaster Yeah they definitely should help with those. Better yet, rename Fantasia into a new Wild Arms. The fact that he reached back out to Sony is something!

Seriously, Sony has dropped a lot of great talent. Either they're working for other companies (or competitors), made their own studio, or quit the industry entirely... it's very sad to see.

@UltimateOtaku91 Definitely agree there. They've done that in the past, someone can easily bring back those kinds of games, smallish budget, and let other AAA studios still work on their own projects.

Astro is an awesome game. If you don’t have it, get it!

I'm not sure "family friendly" and character models you could find on PornHub are totally compatible.

no cinematic over the shoulder serious movies for a while would be nice

@TheTraditional Yup. Wipeout 2097 is pretty much my favourite game ever made and the state of the franchise (seemingly dead and buried) pains me.

Conclusion - More single player game,more indie game,more AA games please. New Sly cooper is a dream. And what happen with new patapon?

@TheTraditional I heard the kickstarter for Armed Fantasia already a success and they maybe already got publisher too, possibly either NIS, Bamco, or SE...

But i wish Shuhei Yoshida is still the president of SIE Worldwide Studios. Under his leadership from 2008-19, we got plenty of unique-different games from Sony 1st party studios. But since Hermen replaced him, we got fewer and fewer unique titles.

Now Shu got "demoted" as the head of PS Indies and supporting external devs. But i'm sure he's the guy who convinced Sony to greenlight China Hero Project, India Hero Project, Middle East / East Asia Hero Project, and a bunch of collabs with Korean and Chinese devs that ended up with games like Stellar Blade, Phantom Blade Zero, Genshin, ZZZ, etc.

I hear it, but i don't believe him.
I am gonna need some actual projects getting announced.

@MrPeanutbutterz Distance, Super Wooden GP/GP 2, Hotshot Racing, CTR, Hotwheels Unleashed, Wreckfest, Redout, etc. There's a few. Still nothing that quite hits the mark.

Bought Hotshot Racing, CTR, Hotwheels Unleashed 1 and 2, Redout 1 and 2 all at their respective launches lol.

Super Woden GP 2 was in my basket last week! Might pick it up with my Concord refund...

Saying the right things but let's see it. Insomniac are married to marvel games for the next decade, naughty dog can't ignore the last of us and have uncharted to return to, sucker punch have ghosts sequel, Santa Monica have something new lined up but they aren't ditching God of war anytime soon and guerilla are pushing forward with horizon. That's sony's big 5 studios all tied to existing IP that you can loosely categorise all as action/adventure.

I'm not suggesting any of these studios should move away from those games, they're widely successful for a reason, they will and should continue to make those games, i'm simply asking where the variety and the new IP is going to come from. They should be looking to expand their flagship studios to accommodate work on multiple games simultaneously rather than creating studios. Much safer bet of maintaining quality that way.

@MrPeanutbutterz SW2 has a great rally campaign. It feels wonderful to hit the turns in that game.
Wipeout is my go to, usually. I play it on my Vita a good bit. If you have a switch or Potato PC, The Next Penelope is also great!

There is a reason many of us buy the not just or none at all of the Mario, Zelda, Pokemon games.

Nintendo has VARIETY. Xbox has variety but they just don't land in the same way. Sony had variety like Xbox that was not all connected or as easy to jump between but that's what I liked it, many genres, gameplay, story, reasons to be interested. Not what was popular but good competitive decisions. Not stagnant complacency with those in charge and what works.

The reason I & many others bought or are still collecting their old games is just that,, the variety of genres, the world's, the mechanics, the story telling, the difference in cultural tone regardless of if it holds up.

Vex may be based on up to 90s tv/movies. But they can still rework it to me era ones. They just choose not to because laziness.

If the other mascots for food, insect spray & more products are iconic I wonder why. They keep trying, they don't wait for some magical big IP to buy and same them time, they are still committed to them or change up their marketing.

Sony can't think hmm, like PS All-stars, what those worlds and characters offered mixing them together of the stage transitions.

Hmm what not SOCOM/MAG/Warhawk of multiplayer AGAIN. OH TOO MUCH EFFORT TO BUILD UP AGAIN. WELL THEN DO THAT INSTEAD OF IGNORING THEM.

It's not hard. They have fanbases, some still with the platform, some left. Just rework them. How hard is that. Sure many will complain but at least try.

They do Twisted Metal then go eh we don't know what to do with our IPs. You revived a game about vehicular combat with a killer clown & other crazy characters. How more tone deaf can they be of competition potential?

Why not a Parappa/Vib Ribbon as worlds with rhythm to solve their problems like any other sing to solve a problem in a kids show. Like come on.

Coded Arms with Konami's Roguelike, the whole inside a computer thing. Awesome series then Assault for PS3 was cancelled.

They can be blind to oh such OST, figures, comics, tv show potential isn't there for their IPs apparently in their minds. Sales success. Why not try first. Pure laziness to try.

But of Unit 13 OST like WTF are these people on. GOW sure but Unit 13 over SOCOM, the bigger IP, same studio. Who at Sony picks up on this nonsense. Unit 13 is a fair game yes but like what kind of delusion can a higher up have compared to the staff saying yeah we have the Unit 13 OST here to put out for fans of a 30th anniversary. XD

Comics/shows about military IPs, cartoony characters & their worlds/abilities/characters, alternative history of Resistance/sicif of Killzone, what idiot can't think that far ahead.

They let WipEour Rush exist, no anti grav racing tv show. Many exist. 2048 & modern eras the lore has of WipEout, that's Sony's stupidity because it isn't cinematic.

Same with any kids show like Skylanders or others.

If they want a Marvel or something major THEY HAVE TI WORK FOR IT. That's their problem. Laziness to build something up, using big IP only.

Not like the Gravity Rush anime interconnected OVA between games context it offers.

A anthology for different games like the ONL thing we all saw. Sony doesn't want to think outside the box.

They think all westerners are going to be that simple and forget oh many of us buying Astro aren't parents buying it for their kids they may be parents that grew up with those types of games.

Part 2:
Us 20 year olds or older and parents that did and STILL PLAY THEM. Not out growing things, we still play them, collect them, not just nostalgia but how appealing those oldmgames, Indies of now are, they clearly pay atyto audiences or stereotypes because even if a percentage don't because of their reasons to GROW UP or because of what they see society say when who cares what they think, a fun game is a fun game no matter the art style or for everyone and familiar messages, if the gameplay is fun, animation, worlds and character are creative and works for all ages by all means.

Mature games don't have to be so forced of dark worlds/tone they can in more for gameplay yet aren't just more menus and things to read/apply skills to, very mature. Like lol. I get motor skills but like come on.

Same for kids with rough gameplay/getting used to a controller as well.

Sony don't think, some staff are too focused on what they already see others do than going how do we apply this IP to a TV show, figures, OST, an ARG to get people excited. Think outside the box Sony. We players can, why is it so hard. XD

Probably the same reason I play old games look at ideas of old for inspiration not to copy paste. I can't prototype what they would have to or market it but I have. Abeain and use it to think up creative ideas. They don't.

@Bluemoon2008 "i'm simply asking where the variety and the new IP is going to come from"

Some Sony studios are making new IP:

• ND which also confirmed by Neil Druckman
  https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/naughty-dog-new-ip-game-leaked/
• Bluepoint
  https://gamingbolt.com/bluepoint-games-reiterates-its-next-game-is-not-a-remake
• Housemarque
  https://gamerant.com/returnal-2-when-housemarque-next-game-new-ip/
• Santa Monica unannounced sci-fi game lead by Cory Barlog
  https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2024/03/development-of-santa-monica-studios-next-ps5-game-appears-to-be-going-swimmingly

As much as i want new IP's, i feel it's about time Sony make a new game from their classic IP's. The fans has been asking for years for a new Twisted Metal, Syphon Filter, Wild Arms, Ape Escape, Sly Cooper, Legend of Dragoon, Jak, Socom etc. Sony can't let their classic IP's rot and forgotten.

Can we get some proper first party RPGs then?

@Sequel You do realize that AstroBot (beyond VR) came out of Jim's time at PS... the problem is, everyone is happy to blame him for everything that went wrong, but then totally disown any involvement in anything that went right. The truth is - he most likely had only a direct responsibility for both good and bad. Especially when it came to specific games.

So I'm just curious if any of you have actually read the blog-post... and if anyone else finds it incredibly cringe to have Hermen interviewing Nicolas Doucet (the studio director of Team Asobi) - actually it was an "invisible" un-attributed interviewer, but it felt more like a Hermen PR piece. I totally believe Sony should take the claps when they do well, as well as the criticism when they do poorly... but how about get someone out of the bunker for real, rather than have bots writing fluff pieces.

Psygnosis/Studio Liverpool = dead
Evolution = dead
Media Molecule = Missing in action

That is the problem New Sony has.

I hope Astro Bot becomes the face of PlayStation in the same way Mario is the face of Nintendo

Maybe create or acquire some more 1st party Japanese Studios that will pay for itself with variety. We could have DMC style character action games, JRPGs, Survival Horror etc. If you wanted to make a big killer acquisition that could solve all of these problems try to court Koei Tecmo. Think about it they're awesome the Warriors series, gusts JRPGs, Ninja Gaiden and Ni-Oh for action, you get a big fighting series with DOA and one of the best horror series in all of gaming Project Zero just saying.

@PuppetMaster

Firstly, totally agree on bringing back dormant IP, in addition to some of those you mentioned, I'd love the likes of resistance, Infamous and killzone to return too.

I know there is some new IP coming was just pointing out most of sony's major studios have massive franchises they simply cannot ignore and with excessive game dev times nowadays if they're not working on the next game straight away there's every chance that franchise skips a generation entirely. As you pointed out, sony have a boat load of IP they can bring back they just need more teams.

The PS1 and PS2 eras already had that you made the base line for variety but then with PS3 swept it under the rug and it's never been the same since. Sony sit on loads of IPs they could bring back and do the very same of those eras but they won't due to lack of people and at the moment money since they spent ***** loads

@Nakatomi_Uk For real Sly, Jak, Ape Escape, Legend Of Dragoon, Siren, Resistance, Killzone, Medievil and that's just scratching the surface

The amount of remakes and sequels they could make 🥹

Dark Cloud, Jak and Daxter AND how about a ICO remake that game would be something like the Demon Souls remake.

Breaking News!

Humans must breathe in and out to survive.

I just find it funny that Sony have had their reputation somewhat saved this year by little Astro!

(No slight on the game - I am loving it)

Actions speak louder than words.

They've killed numerous teams that made smaller, more unique games. And they've killed numerous smaller projects before letting them see the light of day.

I am legitimately beginning to lose faith in Sony decision makers.

I need Astro Kart next.

@Flaming_Kaiser As soon as they came to the PS4 Dark Cloud and Chronicles and I bought those bad boys straight away 2 of my fave PS2 games ever. I feel ashamed not mentioning those but the PS2 era was Sony pinicle if they did that again with variety and genre they literally smash it

Oh Sony. If only I could believe you.

I miiight start to believe you if you bring back Japan Studios - and therefor Knack, Gravity Rush and many other dead franchises as well.

@Nakatomi_Uk For me it was the PS1 so many fantastic memories with RPG's. Legend of Dragoon, Legend of Legaia 1/2, Parasite Eve, Koudelka, Breath of Fire 4, Final Fantasy 7/8/9, Legend of Kartia and yes im missing some classic RPG games that were never released in the Netherlands. 😢

@Flaming_Kaiser Oh yeah PS1 for RPGs especially every single one of those beauties but for variety PS2 had games I never thought I'd play.

Dynasty warriors series
Armoured core series
Ace Combat (never played the PS1 versions)

@Nakatomi_Uk Yeah i can totally understand why people prefer different consoles it's all up to the games. As a old basta** i really prefer the older games complete and playable from beginning to end and the extra stuff is in the next entry. I never played the armored core series how cool would it be to have a disc with several entries to play.

@Flaming_Kaiser The Armoured Core series on PS2 was brilliant very challenging like the new one which was so great to see come back. And it shows bringing back the old IPs from our time work just wish they'd bring back more like Legend of Legia, Skies of Arcadia.

If I'm not playing on PC I'm going back to my PS3 days but right now I can't have all my consoles out. I gave my PS4 to my brother because PS5 plays PS4 games and the same with PS2 even though my PS3 plays them. Luckily I found a chunky PS2 for £10 only issue is the coin battery getting to it is not worth the messing around just to keep the date and time

@Nakatomi_Uk Yeah the older generations have the best memories for me how awsome would a PS2 mini with a discdrive and HDMI just to play those older games.