Sony's Secret Los Angeles Studio: A New AAA IP for PS5
Sony Interactive Entertainment has quietly established a new AAA game studio in Los Angeles, California, its 20th first-party development team. This revelation comes via a recent job posting for a Project Senior Producer, confirming the existence of a "newly-established AAA studio" in the city. The studio is currently working on a highly anticipated, original AAA title for the PlayStation 5.
The news has generated significant excitement among PlayStation fans, who eagerly await updates on projects from established studios like Santa Monica Studio, Naughty Dog, and Insomniac Games. Sony's ongoing expansion of its first-party lineup, including recent acquisitions like Housemarque, Bluepoint Games, and Firesprite, further fuels this anticipation.
The identity of the Los Angeles studio remains shrouded in mystery, but speculation points to two potential sources:
Possibility 1: A Bungie Spin-off Team: Following layoffs at Bungie in July 2024, 155 employees transitioned to Sony Interactive Entertainment. One theory suggests this new studio houses a team working on a previously announced Bungie incubation project, codenamed "Gummybears."
Possibility 2: Jason Blundell's Team: Veteran Call of Duty developer Jason Blundell, a former co-founder of the now-defunct Deviation Games, is another strong candidate. Deviation Games was developing a AAA PS5 title before its closure in March 2024. However, many former Deviation Games employees subsequently joined PlayStation, forming a new team under Blundell's leadership. Considering the longer gestation period of Blundell's team, this seems a more likely scenario.
While the specifics of the project remain undisclosed, fans speculate it could be a continuation or a reimagining of Deviation Games' abandoned project. Regardless of its origins, the confirmation of another first-party PlayStation studio adds to the already impressive pipeline of upcoming PS5 titles. While an official announcement may be years away, the news is undeniably exciting for PlayStation enthusiasts.
