Very brief pre-alpha gameplay footage has emerged online, showing early development footage of a new unannounced first party PlayStation IP. As per the leak, the game is a sci-fi third person RPG shooter that’s being built using Unreal Engine 5. Allegedly, the game is being developed by Sony’s European studio XDev in collaboration with an unknown external studio.

Meanwhile, over on ResetEra, leaker Dusk Golem has also said that the leaked clip is from much earlier in the game’s development. According to him, as things stand right now, the game is much further along in production right now. He also claims that this is not one of the several games that were mentioned in a leaked Sony document from last year that listed a number of unannounced first party releases.

How long it will be before we get concrete, official details on the game remains to be seen, but it’s hard not to be excited at the prospect of a major new IP, so this should definitely be worth keeping an eye on.

Jason Stewart, senior producer at PlayStation-owned studio XDEV, recently took to Twitter and confirmed that the UK-based support studio is aiding with Rise of the Ronin’s development. The full extent of XDEV’s involvement remains unknown, of course, but this isn’t the first time that XDEV has been called for development support on a title.

Of course, until not too long ago, it was SIE Japan Studio that was Sony’s go-to studio for providing behind-the-scenes support to exclusive titles developed by external studios, but with the Japanese studio having been shut down, it seems that that role is now being occupied by XDEV. Interestingly, reports have previously suggested that XDEV is also working with FromSoftware on a new PlayStation-exclusive Soulslike IP. Read more on that through here.

Rise of the Ronin is due out exclusively for PS5 sometime in 2024.

Privileged to work on an exciting title as #RiseOfTheRonin with Yasuda-san of @TeamNINJAStudio @giwamasa and our @Sony_XDEV JP team. Only right to visit the Meiji Jingu Shrine. Birth of the Charter Oath in Five Articles and end of Feudal Shogunate Japan https://t.co/5l6vtomZVl pic.twitter.com/GPX1V4ZUzn

— Jason Stewart (@JasonStewart74) September 19, 2022

As per a report by VGC, the Twisted Metal reboot has switched developers. The project has allegedly been taken away from Lucid Games and brought in-house to a first party PlayStation studio in Europe, where it’s now in early production. No concrete reasons have been mentioned for the same, but it’s possible that the lukewarm critical reception for Destruction AllStars may have played a part.

The name of the studio hasn’t been mentioned, but given the fact that it’s based in Europe, it’s easy to narrow the list down. A likely candidate would be Liverpool-based XDev, who also assisted with Destruction AllStars’ development. Interestingly, rumours have also claimed that XDev is working on a new WipEout game.

Previous leaks have claimed that the Twisted Metal game will adopt a free-to-play model, though it remains to be seen whether those plans will have changed with the switch of studios.

Insider @Shpeshal_Nick recently took to Twitter and said that a new WipEout game is currently in development, apparently at XDEV and Lucid Games (who recently partnered on Destruction AllStars as well). Apparently, the game is being made for PS5 and PSVR 2. A recent leak claimed that Sony was focusing on AAA development for its next VR headset, and a new mainline WipEout game would certainly fall in line with that.

The last major WipEout release was Omega Collection, which, of course, was excellent, and was also compatible with PSVR. It remains one of the best PSVR games to date, in fact, so if this does turn out to be true, series fans will definitely have plenty of reasons to be excited.

@Shpeshal_Nick has has a pretty good track record with leaks, and has also been accurate with PlayStation-related information in the past. Recently, he leaked the Iki Island expansion for Ghost of Tsushima. Either way, this is still an unverified leak, so remember to treat it as such.

In related news, another big PlayStation exclusive also seems to have been leaked. It seems FromSoftware is working on a new PlayStation-exclusive Soulslike IP- read more on that through here.

You know what? Screw it. I’ll risk pissing someone off. Don’t wanna get scooped again. Been told Wipeout is coming back. Planned to be a VR2/PS5 title. Most likely an XDEV project. Still early in the project.

— Balatro Nick  (@Shpeshal_Nick) August 11, 2021

Yes, I am of the belief that Lucid Games is on this one https://t.co/yOcgV4N7mH

— Balatro Nick  (@Shpeshal_Nick) August 11, 2021

August is looking like a good month for PlayStation Plus subscribers on PS4. Sony has announced that WipEout Omega Collection and Sniper Elite 4 will be free to download. Both titles will become available when the PlayStation Store updates on August 6th.

Developed by XDev, Clever Beans and EPOS Game Studios, WipEout Omega Collection alone is worth looking into. It’s a remaster of Wipeout HD, Wipeout HD Fury and Wipeout 2048, packing tons of tracks and ships into one single package. If you favour high speed, futuristic racing, this might be the game for you.

Rebellion’s Sniper Elite 4 is another strong addition to one’s PS4 library. It still carries the series’ penchant for long-range sniping and stealth but now includes more open-ended gameplay and larger maps. Movement has been revamped to encourage more verticality and there are even night missions to play.

Sony faced quite a bit of flak when it announced Pro Evolution Soccer 2019 for last month’s PlayStation Plus free games. So much so that it eventually replaced this with Detroit: Become Human Digital Deluxe Edition. We’ll see how the response is to this month’s offerings in the coming days.

If you’ve been playing the stellar Wipeout: Omega Collection and decided to make things even more intense, then there’s good news. The promised PlayStation VR patch is now available, thus letting you race with Sony’s virtual reality headset.

All modes are available for VR play and it’s possible to experience the entire game in virtual reality. To make things even sweeter is the addition of three VR exclusive ships for Wipeout HD, Wipeout HD Fury and Wipeout 2048. The audio has also received the 3D treatment, which should make for a more immersive aural experience. A new remix of Shake It by Vieille Griffe has also been added to accommodate the 3D audio update.

Developed by XDev, Clever Beans and EPOS Game Studios, Wipeout: Omega Collection released in June 2017 for PlayStation 4. Along with commercial success, it has received critical praise for its graphical revamp, a large amount of content and responsive controls. You can check out our official review here for more information.

It’s not as good as a brand new PS4 WipEout game, but at least it is something- the previously announced WipEout Omega Collection, which will include fully remastered versions of WipEout HD, WipEout Fury, and WipEout 2048 (from the PS3 and PS Vita respectively) will be hitting the PS4 on June 6 this year, Sony has confirmed.

The big selling point here is the remastered graphics- the textures in particular have been reworked substantially, leading to a startlingly clear look for the game. That, plus 28 new music tracks, full 60 fps gameplay, and PS4 Pro enhancements are a part of the package. The original games have also made it through the remastering unscathed- everything you remember is here, exactly as is. No content or modes that had to be removed.

While this is not a new WipEout game, buying this may be your last chance to demonstrate to Sony that there is still a market for the series- so go out there and buy it if you were ever a WipEout fan!

GamingBolt caught up with the game’s senior producer Daimion Pinnock to know how the game is shaping up. Check out his response below.

Leonid Melikhov: Tell us how LittleBigPlanet 3 will be different yet be faithful to the theme of the franchise?

Daimion Pinnock: LittleBigPlanet’s DNA is something that has been available since the PlayStation 3 and ultimately the team has looked to take it to the next level while still being faithful to what people know about LittleBigPlanet and Sackboy. Sackboy is still the star of the show, you can still customize him and his adventures. We wanted to add a little bit more to the gameplay of LittleBigPlanet.

Sackboy has the ability to climb as well which has added to the gameplay. In addition to that, we got Toggle, Swoop and Oddsock who have added a whole new level of gameplay to the levels and to the story, and also giving creators more tools to make some fantastic levels that add to over 8 million levels that are already in existence of LittleBigPlanet franchise.

"There is a lot of new stuff that will be available for online for sure. Obviously, we're using the power of the PS4 which is definitely a-lot more accessible."

Leonid Melikhov: Tell us more about Sackboy friends. What kind of abilities, will Sackboy and his mates have?

Daimion Pinnock: We’re giving him new tools, one of the things we’re showing off is the Pumpinator which uses the air to blow and pull. He now has the ability to climb which has added whole new elements of how you use Sackboy. One of the new characters Oddsock is a four-legged character who can be customized. You can make him a horse or any sort-of four-legged creature that you can think off. You’ll be able to make levels specfically for him, he is very fast, he is able to jump, climb on walls and do wall jumping which adds a whole new level of gameplay which Sackboy isn’t able to do, but ultimately helps him in his adventure.

Then you’ve got Toggle. Toggle can be really big, so he is heavy but very strong, a little bit slower, but his able to kind of sink so you can have him run along the bottom of water for example. Then, he has the ability to transform into like a small toggle/mini toggle. Using it, Toggle can run across water, he is very light and can fit into small little areas that isn’t accessible by Sackboy. Then finally, you’ve got Swoop. Swoop is a character that is able to fly, he is able to carry his friends and he can carry a small Toggle, but he can’t carry big Toggle because he is a bit too heavy.

Leonid Melikhov: Tell us about the customization options in the game. Furthermore what more can you share about the various tools and level maker?

Daimion Pinnock: So we’re not chatting too much in regards to Create, but we are adding a host of new tools that are going to really expand what creators are able to do. We’ll be talking more about that somewhere between now and launch. There is definitely a host of new tools for creators out there. Also, for people that like playing what other people have created in the community. Ultimately, it’s going to help them to really expand the whole LittleBigPlanet experience and also at the same time for people that are used to the franchise, it will be very familiar for them as well.

Leonid Melikhov: How will the online component differ in LBP3? Will it be largely be same “play, create and share” kind of mechanics?

Daimion Pinnock: Oh! There is a lot of new stuff that will be available for online for sure. Obviously, we’re using the power of the PS4 which is definitely a-lot more accessible. We’re not really talking too much about that today, but yeah, obviously we’re looking to take the advantage of the PS4 and add a host of new tools and community driven accessibility to the game for consumers.

Leonid Melikhov: Is there going to be a single-player campaign?

Daimion Pinnock: Absolutely! In the single-player campaign, you take control of Sackboy and also you are going to use his friends as well.

"I think ultimately, as we get more used to the PS4, you're definitely going to see teams being a lot more creative and a lot more inspirational with the titles that are on display."

Leonid Melikhov: What are you thoughts on the PS4? When we see games like Uncharted 4 and The Order 1886, do you think this is just the beginning of what the PS4 is capable of?

Daimion Pinnock: Yeah, I mean we are not even a year into the life cycle of the PS4 and I think that with a lot of the titles, I think this is just the tip of the iceberg. I think ultimately, as we get more used to the PS4, you’re definitely going to see teams being a lot more creative and a lot more inspirational with the titles that are on display. The titles you’ve just mentioned, they’re really good, high quality and always looking for new ways to innovate and bring stuff to the consumers.

Leonid Melikhov: Are you guys targeting 1080p/60 fps for LittleBigPlanet 3?

Daimion Pinnock:  Absolutely. [This was later clarified by a PlayStation representative: “The game will target 30fps/1080p to ensure we’re able to build the game for both the PS3 and PS4 systems.” ]

Leonid Melikhov:  The PS3 version will launch alongside the PS4 version in November. Am I right?

Daimion Pinnock: Yes.

Leonid Melikhov: A lot people had the complain in previous LBP games that sometimes when you jump it felt a little floaty and I am sure you guys heard about that?

Daimion Pinnock: Yes

Leonid Melikhov: Are you guys doing anything to fix that in LittleBigPlanet 3?

Daimion Pinnock: It has been addressed.

Leonid Melikhov: Awesome man, thank you so much!

Daimion Pinnock: Great, thank you very much!

Update: A Sony representative reached out to GamingBolt with the following statement: “The game will target 30fps/1080p to ensure we’re able to build the game for both the PS3 and PS4 systems.” So it seems that they are no longer targeting 60fps for the PS4 version.

The next entry in the critically acclaim LittleBigPlanet franchise, LittleBigPlanet 3 is due for the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 in November. In our interview with Sr. Producer of LittleBigPlanet 3, Daimion Pinnock, GamingBolt was able to ask the targeted resolution and frame rate of the game on the PS4.

Daimion Pinnock confirmed that they are targeting 1080p and 60fps on the PS4. He also talked about how LittleBigPlanet 3 will be unique yet be faithful to the series.

“LittleBigPlanet’s DNA is something that has been available since the PlayStation 3 and ultimately the team has looked to take it to the next level while still being faithful to what people know about LittleBigPlanet and Sackboy. Sackboy is still the star of the show, you can still customize him and his adventures. We wanted to add a little bit more to the gameplay of LittleBigPlanet.”

“Sackboy has the ability to climb as well which has added to the gameplay. In addition to that, we got Toggle, Swoop and Oddsock who have added a whole new level of gameplay to the levels and to the story, and also giving creators more tools to make some fantastic levels that add to over 8 million levels that are already in existence of LittleBigPlanet franchise.”

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments section below.