860°

Welcoming Firesprite to the PlayStation Studios Family

The next addition to PlayStation Studios is a creative, ambitious team from Liverpool.

Read Full Story >>
blog.playstation.com
GaboonViper996d ago

Fantastic news, can't wait to see what they are working on.

Obscure_Observer996d ago

Whatever happened to that "nurture the talent of our first party studios" BS talk.

https://n4g.com/news/242464...

The Wood996d ago (Edited 996d ago )

they stem from sonys old liverpool studio (members)

You try too hard bro

All you had to do was research but noooooooooo, auto crap spew

https://twitter.com/GIBiz/s...

darthv72996d ago

I guess technically they are doing that. this studio is not exactly new, just a reboot / remake / remaster of talent from ones past. I believe it was Studio Liverpool (Wipeout guys). So they were always a first party studio and took a break a while back to rebrand themselves.

996d ago
dbcoops996d ago

"We’ve had the pleasure of working with many talented developers and publishers across the industry and PlayStation in particular has been a friend and co-development partner for the best part of a decade,"

What ever happened to reading and researching before trolling?

TheTony316996d ago

Firewalk is the former Sony Liverpool studio that worked on games like Wipeout...but nice try, lol.

RpgSama996d ago

@Obscure_Observer

What a joke, at least read before commenting on anything, you should be ashamed of being ridiculed in public on a basically daily basis.

GamingSinceForever996d ago

Damn at least read before commenting bro.

CosmicTurtle996d ago

@obscure_observer what are you actually offended about? If so why?

CosmicTurtle996d ago

Why can’t you just be happy with your console choice? MS have some nice studios, what compels you to cheerlead for a product and sniping at another rather than just enjoying what you have? You like what MS offer that’s dandy. If you are worried about PR people saying stupid stuff then you won’t be happy with any console manufacturer. Do you get so heated when someone announces a feature in a dishwasher you don’t own?

Maybe you find a game in trolling and arguing, but I assure you there are richer ways to spend your time.

Wintersun616996d ago

Please leave Trollscure_Trollerver.

AmUnRa996d ago

And here whe have the first troll who does not really know what the " blieb" he is talking about.

996d ago
F0XH0UND922996d ago

Another epic fail from obscure.

On topic, it's nice to see Sony continuing the trend of nurturing talent and fostering long lasting relationships with talented devs. Hopefully they have something to show tomorrow.

mkis007996d ago

Well anytime you try to claim non-bias now this will follow you.

itsmebryan996d ago

@The wood
Didn't Sony close the studio and that's why they are old members of Sony. Maybe that's what he is talking about. That's not what you think of when you "nurture talent ".

Vizigoth04996d ago

Yeah not worth getting mad over. I would just go back to playing games if I was you.

Bathyj996d ago

Did that troll attempt go how you thought it would?

tay8701996d ago

dude you do know this studio is made up of former employees from sony liverpool studio that was closes in 2012 right?

Sarcasm996d ago

Guys, I think he's already dead.

Sunny_D996d ago

Sorry bud, you tried. But your poor trolling skills need work.

JackBNimble996d ago

Like obscure observer said
"Whatever happened to that nurture the talent of first party studio's "?

I would like to know that too considering that "quite a few members of fire Sprite came from Sony's first party studio liverpool "

If I were these guy's I'd be worried that Sony shuts this newer studio down.

Another question that should be asked:
Sony owned studio liverpool and shut them down , so why buy a studio made up of quite few of the members of the studio that Sony already closed?

badz149996d ago

@Obscure_Observer

MS started this acquisition craze first. If it was not for MS and their fat pocket papa Satya buying studios left and right, these acquisitions would have been at a slower pace as before. it's no coincidence that Sony suddenly swoop Insomniac after all these years they have been honoring the company's desire to stay independent. The same reason it is for this too I guess. They just can't afford losing 3rd parties to MS as they gobble them up one by one and started moving in that direction before MS makes the move. MS doesn't care about the xbox, they just want the PS dominance to end. They tried with power and marketing, that didn't work. they know, GAMES and DEVELOPERS are keys to it and by depriving these elements will make the PS brand weaker. they realized this and started buying studios and Sony would be dumb to let MS be the only one doing it.

FYI, acquiring a studio especially those with no steady income like this one is not ideal. they need to be paid as normal employees and without a studio income, they will be the extra expenses for the owner.

Extermin8or3_996d ago

Even if the founders of this studio weren't former members of Sony Liverpool your comment would still have no merit whatsoever. When Sony made that renark what they were essentially saying is: if you can't get first party titles out the door regularly and of a consistent quality buying a large studio or publisher won't fix that. The issues regarding project management etc are going to carry over and the new studio will Bring with it a different and well established culture etc which will probably take time to integrate with your existing corporate culture. However if you buy smaller teams that are growing and help them grow and progress and move to releasing larger titles over time (look at housemarque or bluepoint- I know officially they haven't bought the latter yet) then the culture can be forged and melded to match yours and the studio should grown naturally without the requirement it be pumped up with money.

DarXyde996d ago

Ughhhhh, here we go....

I don't think there is anything I can say that hasn't already been said. Seems like a painfully obvious attempt at a gotcha moment, but in any case, Obscure_Observer, I can only encourage you to evaluate things before you jump off like that. Seems like you were in a hurry to deliver this "own" and it ended up being a misfire. Somehow, I think you're better than this...

I'm genuinely not a fan of these acquisitions. They're annoying and really bring out the worst in gamers. Now it's just about hypocrisy burning and whose box maker has more studios (which you shouldn't concern yourself with—quality every time).

I'll give Sony some benefit of the doubt here because these are traditionally small studios they're acquiring, Insomniac withstanding. It's a matter of giving the lesser known artists a better canvas to realize a larger vision, a la Returnal. I think the benefits are pretty apparent for gamers in this regard. I suppose Microsoft deserves some benefit too because it means games from Bethesda are on Game Pass, which is a win for consumers. But outside of that, I don't see why anyone should care or cheer these acquisitions on when they happen.

Honestly, I'm not about to argue that "he started it!" crap. That's such juvenile rhetoric. Take it as it is: another acquisition in what is likely the beginning of a large theme.

Side bar: did anyone else notice the PlayStation Studios logo at the beginning of the official Death Stranding trailer?

https://youtu.be/EV53lnCzP1...

CaptainHenry916996d ago

Firesprite (Playroom, The Persistence) joins PlayStation

-Over 200 developers
-Many come from former SIE Studio Liverpool
-The team is currently developing a "AAA branching narrative adventure game" and a "AAA quality new action shooter IP"

Blog: https://t.co/V1GMeFj0oQ https://t.co/sZDMFB9QD5

Father__Merrin996d ago

@obscure

Looks like a total annihilation on this one....

The Wood996d ago (Edited 996d ago )

@Darxyde

Nice take.. you should be on YouTube.

In regards to the disdain for acquisitions, I hear where you're coming from but thats the nature of the beast. If the companies could continue to work using 2nd and 3rd party relationships without the threat of that studio being locked away via acquisitions I'd be fine. It seems only Nintendo aren't getting embroiled in this movement. Sad to say but this is a content war and studio acquisitions are the segway

Killer2020UK996d ago

Zero acknowledgement when proven wrong is a real weak look.

Gunstar75995d ago

Darth...a 10 year break to rebrand? LoL

+ Show (27) more repliesLast reply 995d ago
neutralgamer1992996d ago

Welcome back to many of the members and great addition to playstation family. Bluepoint announcement tomorrow I think

generic-user-name996d ago

A good pedigree with VR, which will benefit Sony's new headset. Still, this one was a big surprise, I can't believe another studio was officially acquired before Bluepoint.

neutralgamer1992996d ago

I think that's for tomorrow with MGS1 remake announcement

generic-user-name996d ago

Whatever Bluepoint are working on next, MGS or not, I'm certain it will be quality. SotC and Demon's Souls blew me away.

996d ago
Sunny_D996d ago

BRUH, I SWEAR if they announce it..... I'm gonna pop.

SullysCigar996d ago

My first thought too. Huge news for VR fans like me!

neutralgamer1992996d ago

Yes but now they will work on traditional games too not just VR(either way it's great)

neutralgamer1992996d ago (Edited 996d ago )

Oh yeah they are top quality developers. The reason I think they are working on something big is because Sony didn't ask them to remake TLOU. That remake is rumored to be on development under ND. So why would Sony not ask BP to remake it since they are the best at remakes/remasters

Meaning they must be on another big project

VersusDMC996d ago

They highlighted in the blog post that they worked on VR stuff...so they are probably a PSVR2 developer. Not for me but VR fans rejoice.

Darkborn996d ago

They have 2 projects in production. It's actually a pretty big studio with like 250+ devs and they are still hiring.

Nyxus996d ago

Could be VR, but not necessarily:

"Not necessarily," Hulst says. "Clearly the expertise that Firesprite has gained on their work with The Persistence and The Playroom is something that they bring to the table. It's too early to talk about what specific platforms or experiences that we're going to collaborate on with Firesprite. But that experience is very valuable.

Ankers again: "The philosophy that we have is to really innovate and create on any platform. Whether that's VR or non-VR. VR is amazing. It really changes the paradigm of design and immerses you in those worlds. It doesn't really matter for us what the hardware is, we'll maximise and create and innovate for that particular hardware.

From: https://www.gamesindustry.b...

VersusDMC996d ago

I said probably...and with PSVR2 coming out it is more likely.

Maybe they are making a non-VR game as well. Or a VR game that can also be played without VR.

But they bring up VR in the blog post i assume VR is more likely. Hoping to be surprised but not holding my breath.

TheTony316996d ago

They used to work on Wipeout. They have experience with non VR titles.

Ozzy2407996d ago

Wipeout can also be played in PSVR

TheTony316996d ago

Isn't this the former Liverpool studio that made Wipeout? Their logo looks like something out of Wipeout.

Sunny_D996d ago

Bring back Evolution studios as well. If there's a Forza Horizon, they can make a open world Motorstorm for the PS platforms. 🤯

badz149996d ago

@Sunny_D

unfortunately, most of those people from Evolution were hired by Codemasters and now they are all under EA!

Show all comments (111)
200°

Former Activision studio Toys for Bob partners with Xbox to publish its first game as an indie

Former Activision studio Toys for Bob partners with Xbox to publish its first game as an indie. This is something of a homecoming, as Microsoft owns Activision.

Read Full Story >>
engadget.com
Obscure_Observer14h ago

Very very early in development. Still, fantastic news!

Let´s GO!!!

Lightning7712h ago

I guess.

How come they didnt either let them go or sell Tango and others to another publisher? Not saying Ubisoft, EA would be any better. (Capcome would of treated them right )

At least it wouldn't be MS of all ppl destroying them.

MS really should let go Tango go like they did TFB here.

darthv7212h ago(Edited 12h ago)

one was under Bethesda (Tango) the other under Activision (TFB). Clearly each one handled the separations of their subordinates differently.

Obscure_Observer11h ago(Edited 11h ago)

"How come they didnt either let them go or sell Tango and others to another publisher? Not saying Ubisoft, EA would be any better. (Capcome would of treated them right )"

Perhaps because Zenimax and ABK handles such matters differently based on their own internal policies as "independent" publishers.

Whoever, chances are it´s simply because MS didn´t wanted Tango or Austin to be acquired by competitors and develop new bangers for them, giving MS a bad rep in a possible future. Which could also be the reason why they ensured an exclusive partnership with TFB and its new game, before anyone else.

Sad and disgusting. But it is what it is.

Lightning778h ago(Edited 8h ago)

"Whoever, chances are it´s simply because MS didn´t wanted Tango or Austin to be acquired by competitors and develop new bangers for them, giving MS a bad rep in a possible future."

MS has a bad rep now because those studios are no more. I rather them sell the studio continue to make multiplatform releases, while MS continues to focus on whatever they're doing. If they didn't want Tango around they should separated from them or sell them to, like they did TFB.

It's inexcusable, they have options on how to handle studios they don't want anymore with killing jobs. Not just MS but the rest of the industry also.

Sad and disgusting sure how many will get shut down next year or this year even?

I don't trust MS decisions and motivations at this point. You have to admit they make one dumb move after another.

Obscure_Observer48m ago(Edited 48m ago)

"MS has a bad rep now because those studios are no more. I rather them sell the studio continue to make multiplatform releases, while MS continues to focus on whatever they're doing. If they didn't want Tango around they should separated from them or sell them to, like they did TFB."

Imo, MS separated from TFB because they didn´t had a game associated with Xbox yet, unlike Tango.

"I don't trust MS decisions and motivations at this point. You have to admit they make one dumb move after another."

Fair enough. It was indeed an epic dumb move from them to close Tango.

Still, all to be forgotten, like always have. This is not the first time a big publisher shuts down a beloved and/or successful studio out of nowhere and certainly won´t be the last. Do you remember Lionhead? Do you remember Evolution Studios? Yeah... both were beloved studios and yet, those companies kill those studios in q blink of an eye and got away with it.

-Foxtrot14h ago

Manages to buy their freedom especially after all the shit Microsoft has been doing with its studios lately

...

Goes right back to them as partners.

Okaaaaaay...

darthv7212h ago

Id venture a guess that TFB working directly with MS was a better outcome than working through Activision to get to MS.

VersusDMC10h ago

From the article...

"Toys for Bob spun out as an indie back in February after Microsoft instituted sweeping layoffs that impacted 86 employees, which was more than half of the staff"

I doubt those 86 employees enjoyed the Microsoft experience over Activisions.

Inverno10h ago

MS shuts down studios because of lack of resources and then helps these guys by giving em resources. Also MS is what forced them to buy their freedom in the first place? What kind of logic 😂

Chevalier6h ago

The best thing is that the company that is worth $3 trillion and owns the company instead of Xbox lacks resources. How the hell does a company worth $3 trillion making a measly $70 billion purchase they 'can't' support. Lol

Sciurus_vulgaris12h ago(Edited 12h ago)

Xbox’s gaming division seems to still function as 3 semi-autonomous sub-divisions, Xbox Studios, Bethesda and ABK. The three main sub-divisions can seemingly shut down or build studios and set up partnerships independently. This would explain why Bethesda can recently shutdown studios, while ABK spins off one studio, while building a new one. Plus, Toys for Bob could be spun off by ABK, only to immediately re-partner with Microsoft.

Chevalier6h ago

That's absolutely 💯 BS. Any sane 'autonomous' company would NOT put their games on Gamepass day 1 like COD will lose probably billions.

Also they're all under Xbox game studios so any autonomy is an illusion.

Elda6h ago

Either a kiddie game or something uninteresting.

Obscure_Observer39m ago

Don´t worry. You won´t be playing it anyway since their next game will possible be a next gen Xbox console game.

Show all comments (17)
130°

What Happens to Your Steam Account When You Die?

The Outerhaven writes: While Steam has come out recently, stating that Steam accounts can't be transferred, we need to think about it since we all will eventually kick the bucket. But if Valve is denying transferring accounts, what can be done? Plenty, actually.

Read Full Story >>
theouterhaven.net
thorstein1d 15h ago

It goes to my kids because I gave them the passwords.

To Steam: Missio has a song that conveys my feelings about you stealing my purchase after I die. It's called "Middle Fingers"

shinoff218320h ago

Pretty much. My son knows my info.

Abear2120h ago

Yeah worrying about digital ownership when you’re on the other side of the grass seems a little strange, but also on brand for these millennial journalists to worry about.

qalpha5h ago

I'm sure Keith will be happy to hear he's a millennial journalist.

Goodguy011d ago

I suppose if I have kids, I'd just give em my account details by retirement age. If I die young then...idk lol.

CrimsonWing6922h ago

Yea, I mean just give someone the password to your account. Is that difficult to do or something? Like, I’m legit asking because I don’t know.

anast19h ago(Edited 19h ago)

It's not difficult but It's against the policy. If they find out, they will lock the account permanently.

CrimsonWing6918h ago

Ah ok, I had a feeling there was something like that. It seems kind of weird that you can’t just hand your account over to a family member or friend and let them take over the account.

Show all comments (15)
90°

CDPR Confident In Transition To Unreal Engine 5 For New Witcher Game, Addresses Industry Layoffs

CD Projekt Red is confident in the transition from its in-house Red Engine to Unreal Engine 5 for the next Witcher game.

Read Full Story >>
twistedvoxel.com
cthulhucultist1d 2h ago

My main concern with UE5, is that some developers have resorted to very low resolutions in order to enable the advanced feature set of this engine and sustain the frame rate.

In open world games, especially those with excellent graphics, we cant realistically expect 60fps  from consoles (PS5 pro set aside as we do not know exactly how performant it will be) without huge compromises.

Thus the new Witcher game will probably require more powerful consoles to experience it the way the developers intended and in that sense, it reminds me of Cyberpunk situation.

It was released in current gen systems albeit in dire state (even PS4 Pro and Xbox One X suffered) requiring next generation consoles to achieve a desirable (and still not ideal) result.

DarXyde1d 1h ago

My thoughts exactly. This is definitely a PC engine first and foremost, given the compromises required on consoles. Tekken 8 is a **fighting game** on UE5 and, even without Nanite and Lumen, needs to be upscaled to 4K to run at a solid 60fps. The engine straight up dog walks current console hardware. I don't see this getting much better on a PS5 Pro either.

I don't see this game releasing this generation. If it wasn't Sony owned, I think Decima 2.0 would be an excellent engine for this game.

Aussiesummer1d ago (Edited 1d ago )

I am quietly confident that they are going to make one hell of a jaw dropping witcher considering what they achieved with cyberpunk, i reckon they will bring a new level of what can be expected from ue5 BUT i reckon it will be a ps6/rtx 5090 game.