Sony's Unveiled Los Angeles PlayStation Studio Fuels AAA Speculation
A newly established PlayStation studio in Los Angeles, California, is generating significant excitement within the gaming community. This confirmation, stemming from a recent job posting, marks Sony's 20th first-party studio and hints at a high-profile, original AAA title in development for the PS5.
The addition of this unannounced studio to PlayStation's already impressive first-party lineup—which includes renowned developers like Santa Monica Studio, Naughty Dog, and Insomniac Games—has understandably sparked considerable anticipation. Sony's strategic acquisitions of studios like Housemarque, Bluepoint Games, and Firesprite in recent years further demonstrate their commitment to expanding their internal development capabilities.
The Los Angeles studio's project is described as a "ground-breaking" original AAA IP. While details remain scarce, speculation points to two potential origins for this team. One theory suggests it's a spin-off from Bungie, formed from employees transitioning to Sony Interactive Entertainment following the July 2024 layoffs. This aligns with the previously announced "Gummybears" incubation project.
Another compelling possibility is that the new studio houses the team led by Jason Blundell, a veteran Call of Duty developer. Blundell's previous involvement with PlayStation as co-founder of Deviation Games, a studio that unfortunately closed in March 2024, adds weight to this theory. Many former Deviation Games employees joined PlayStation in May 2024, forming a new team under Blundell's leadership. Given the longer gestation period of Blundell's team, it's considered a strong contender for the new studio's identity. The project could potentially be a continuation or reimagining of Deviation Games' previously announced AAA title.
While a formal announcement from Sony is likely still some time away, the existence of this new studio offers a promising glimpse into the future of PlayStation's first-party game development, assuring fans of yet another highly anticipated title on the horizon.
