SIE London Studio delivered a solid cinematic first person shooter with the PSVR exclusive Blood and Truth in 2019, and there have been plenty of eyes on the developer since then as we wait and see what it comes up with next. Past job listings have revealed that the studio’s next title is going to be an online game that will “show the exciting potential” of the PS5, and now, another new job listing (spotted over on ResetEra) has revealed some more crucial new details on the project.
One of the more interesting tidbits coming from a recent listing for the position of Narrative Design Lead reveals that the game will be set in a fantasy world and feature magic-based gameplay, with the required experience section of the listing mentioning “a passion for both making and playing magic-based games where great gameplay is supported with fascinating fantasy world building.” That specific point has since been removed from the listing, but you can still find it in a cached version of the page through here.
Interestingly, that’s not the only part of the job ad that talks about world-building, and it seems like storytelling and a rich well of lore are going to be crucial aspects of the experience for this project. The listing mentions that the person getting the job will be tasked with building “a world lore and story bible which allows the team to build fabulous characters and incredible environments for the game to play out in”, while there’s also mention of “rich, narratively exciting characters.”
Another key point made abundantly clear in the job ad is the fact that this is going to be a live service game- likely one of the 10 that Sony plans on releasing by early 2026. The listing mentions that the studio is looking for someone who can aid in the “development of an intriguing backstory and world lore which sets up years of ongoing story”.
It seems like the game will launch with a campaign that introduces the game’s world, characters, and story, which will then be expanded upon with updates, with the applicant being responsible for the “creation of an initial campaign to introduce the world and characters, then ongoing campaign to develop the narrative and introduce new content”, as well as the “development of an intriguing backstory and world lore which sets up years of ongoing story.”
There’s also mention of side quests and missions, while the applicant is also required to have “an excellent understanding of non-linear narrative systems and how to deliver story in an ongoing or GaaS game.”
Finally, another area where London Studio is placing some emphasis is transmedia expansion, which is something that PlayStation as a whole has been looking to expand upon of late. “Most of all we want a Narrative Designer who is a wonderful storyteller,” the job ad reads. “Someone who can ensure that the narrative permeates through every aspect of the game and extends out onto other supporting media.”
While very little is known about the game so far, it’s clear that the studio is excited about the project and what it could end up becoming. London Studio’s co-studio head Tara Saunders said last year that the project had “huge potential”, and the job ad hammers that point home as well.
“Our upcoming PlayStation 5 online multiplayer game will be focused on a brand-new IP we are extraordinarily excited about,” the listing reads. “Our new game is close to our hearts, as the whole team collaborated on coming up with the concept from the very beginning. We’ve seen this idea grow from a seed, and now we’re looking for new starters to continue our journey on shaping our plans for this AAA project.”
When will this be unveiled? That remains to be seen. It looks like production is only now getting into the thick of things (at leased based on this job ad) so we might have to wait a while for concrete details. It’s also unknown if this will be a PSVR2 title, but again, based on this listing and past job ads, it seems like this new title is being built as a full-blown console experience.
