PlayStation Expands Studios with AAA Development

Sony's Secret Los Angeles Studio: A New AAA Game in the Works

Sony Interactive Entertainment has quietly established a new, unannounced AAA game studio in Los Angeles, California. This marks their 20th first-party studio and adds to PlayStation's already impressive roster of acclaimed developers. The studio's current project is a highly anticipated, original AAA title destined for the PS5.

The news emerged via a recent job posting for a Project Senior Producer, revealing the existence of this "newly-established AAA studio." The secrecy surrounding the project has naturally fueled speculation among gaming enthusiasts.

Two prominent theories are circulating regarding the studio's origins. One suggests it's a spin-off team from Bungie, potentially related to their "Gummybears" incubation project. This aligns with the July 2024 Bungie layoffs, which saw 155 employees transition to Sony Interactive Entertainment.

Another compelling theory centers around Jason Blundell, a veteran Call of Duty developer and former co-founder of Deviation Games. Deviation Games, which was developing a PS5 AAA title, unfortunately closed in March 2024. However, many of its former employees, reportedly under Blundell's leadership, joined PlayStation in May 2024, hinting at the possibility that this new studio houses Blundell's team.

Given the longer gestation period of Blundell's team compared to the potential Bungie spin-off, it's plausible that the Los Angeles studio is indeed Blundell's venture. The nature of their project remains shrouded in mystery, but speculation points towards a continuation or a reboot of Deviation Games' abandoned AAA title.

While any official announcements from Sony are likely still some time away, the confirmation of a new first-party studio developing a major PS5 title is exciting news for PlayStation fans.