Amidst closures of some UK-based studios over the past several years, Sony has announced that its Manchester studio is being shut down. In a statement to GamesIndustry.biz, the company said that its closure was “part of our efforts to improve efficiency and operational effectiveness.” Originally known as North West Studio, it was meant to develop games for PlayStation VR.
Apparently it was working on an unannounced VR title before being shut down. Other UK studios that Sony has closed over the past several years include Evolution Studios (of DriveClub fame) and Guerrilla Cambridge (Killzone: Mercenary, RIGS: Mechanized Combat League). It still has the likes of Media Molecule (which releases Dreams next week) and London Studio of Blood and Truth fame.
In other PlayStation news, Sony recently launched its official website for the PlayStation 5. It noted that it wasn’t “quite ready to fully unveil the next generation of PlayStation” but invited players to sign up for updates on release date, price and much more. As it stands, the company has yet to confirm if there will be a PlayStation Meeting this month as rumors have suggested. The PS5 is out this holiday season so stay tuned for more details.