Sony has quietly closed down PixelOpus, one in every of its first-party PlayStation Studios. Primarily based in San Mateo, California, the studio was liable for 2014’s Entwined and 2019’s Concrete Genie.
Information of this primary broke via a Twitter post from the studio, which expressed the staff’s gratitude to the gamers who’ve loved their video games.
“Pricey buddies, our PixelOpus journey has come to an finish. As we glance to new futures, we wished to say a heartfelt thanks to the hundreds of thousands of passionate gamers who’ve supported us, and our mission to make stunning, imaginative video games with coronary heart. We’re so grateful!”
Sony didn’t instantly touch upon the closure publicly however has since confirmed in an announcement to IGN that PixelOpus is, in actual fact, shuttering on June 2.
“PlayStation Studios frequently evaluates its portfolio and the standing of studio initiatives to make sure they meet the group’s quick and long-term strategic goals,” the corporate informed IGN. “As a part of a latest evaluation course of, it has been determined that PixelOpus will shut on June 2.”
PixelOpus was a small staff inside the hulking large that’s PlayStation Studios, having less than 20 employees as of 2019. The studio’s breakout recreation was 2019’s Concrete Genie on PS4, which was beautiful to have a look at and had cool portray mechanics, however its pacing felt a bit plodding, even with a brisk run time of 5 or so hours. Earlier than the closure, Pixelopus was engaged on a undertaking with Sony Photos Animation, however we don’t know but if that recreation remains to be within the works with one other staff or has been canceled solely.
It’s a tragic finish for a proficient studio, however feels fairly according to Sony’s arduous pivot to status blockbusters in any respect prices. On high of closing PixelOpus, the corporate shuttered Japan Studio in 2021, which was placing out a few of the extra experimental work inside the PlayStation first-party ecosystem. It’s a disgrace, and whereas there are nonetheless some studios doing cool issues at locations like Media Molecule, there’s definitely a spot inside Sony’s catalog with out it.