Firesprite Studios joins PlayStation Studios

Started by the-pi-guy, Sep 08, 2021, 02:23 PM

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the-pi-guy

Firesprite-Welcome-Image-PSS-Blue-02-210901.jpg


the-pi-guy

Sep 08, 2021, 02:23 PM Last Edit: Sep 08, 2021, 02:33 PM by the-pi-guy


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Sony Interactive Entertainment ("SIE") announced today that SIE has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Firesprite Limited, the UK-based videogame studio with a history of developing highly-polished showpieces for cutting-edge hardware. With a partnership spanning more than 8 years and a games portfolio highlighting PlayStation's technological innovations, Firesprite will play a critical role in strengthening SIE's exclusive games catalog in genres outside of PlayStation Studios' core offerings.

Founded by industry veterans from SIE's Studio Liverpool, Firesprite has a strong record of developing showcase games for PlayStation console and peripheral launches. Over the past few years, Firesprite has partnered with SIE to develop games for the PlayStation®4 and PlayStation®VR launch including The Playroom (PS4) and The Playroom VR (PS VR), both of which showcased unique hardware capabilities with highly-quality gameplay.

Originally a PS VR exclusive, with its most recent release, The Persistence, Firesprite pushed the boundaries of how users interact with the PS VR headset by introducing a groundbreaking virtual reality social element that further demonstrated the studio's technical and creative capabilities. Later adapted for flat screens in 2018, Firesprite recently released The Persistence Enhanced in June 2021 which optimized the game for PlayStation®5 to include DualSense™ wireless controller haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and raytraced rendering.

"We are delighted to welcome Firesprite into the PlayStation family," said Jim Ryan, President & CEO, Sony Interactive Entertainment. "We have a rich history of working with the founders of Firesprite and are excited to grow the PlayStation presence in Liverpool. The portfolio of titles Firesprite has developed has continually demonstrated the team's ability to transcend traditional gameplay experiences and brilliantly showcase the potential of our hardware."

"Creating quality, state-of-the-art games has always been at the forefront of Firesprite's work and I'm confident they will push the bar even further as part of PlayStation Studios," said Hermen Hulst, Head of PlayStation Studios. "Firesprite's ability to weave best-in-class gameplay with new technology is exceptional and I think fans will be excited about their creative vision for the future."

"At Firesprite, we're always striving to bring something new to a game or genre and developing for new technologies is a driving force of our passion," said Graeme Ankers, Managing Director, Firesprite. "Joining PlayStation Studios will allow us to amplify this passion, working more closely on cutting-edge hardware without any limitations and furthering our studio's heritage of creativity and technical innovation to offer some truly unique experiences for PlayStation fans."

Based in Liverpool, UK Firesprite will join the global development operation of PlayStation Studios and will be the 14th studio to join the PlayStation Studios family. The day-to-day operations post-acquisition will continue to be run by Firesprite's current management team. Terms of this transaction including the acquisition cost are not disclosed due to contractual commitments.
SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT TO ACQUIRE FIRESPRITE

the-pi-guy

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Based in Liverpool, UK Firesprite will join the global development operation of PlayStation Studios and will be the 15th studio to join the PlayStation Studios family. The day-to-day operations post-acquisition will continue to be run by Firesprite's current management team. Terms of this transaction including the acquisition cost are not disclosed due to contractual commitments.
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PlayStation Studios family as our 14th studio!
Hmmm a discrepancy. :o

(I mean it's probably just a typo)

BluePoint when though?

the-pi-guy

This studio is weirdly big.

They have 250 employees, and hiring very aggressively with 45 open positions right now.

They are apparently the 5th or 6th biggest SIE studio after Naughty Dog (450+), Guerilla Games (300+), Insomniac (300), Santa Monica (250+),and maybe Polyphony (200+).
Basically they just picked up a studio the size of Santa Monica/Insomniac Games.

Legend

Just woke up and read the title as Fortnite.

Made the real news feel mild.

BananaKing

This studio is weirdly big.

They have 250 employees, and hiring very aggressively with 45 open positions right now.

They are apparently the 5th or 6th biggest SIE studio after Naughty Dog (450+), Guerilla Games (300+), Insomniac (300), Santa Monica (250+),and maybe Polyphony (200+).
Basically they just picked up a studio the size of Santa Monica/Insomniac Games.
They were a support studio for star citizen apperantly. They also seem to have 3 games in development.

Maybe sony saw what they have, liked what they saw and decided to buy them

kitler53

This studio is weirdly big.

They have 250 employees, and hiring very aggressively with 45 open positions right now.

They are apparently the 5th or 6th biggest SIE studio after Naughty Dog (450+), Guerilla Games (300+), Insomniac (300), Santa Monica (250+),and maybe Polyphony (200+).
Basically they just picked up a studio the size of Santa Monica/Insomniac Games.
dang, makes their released game catalog look all the more dismal.   :P


Featured Artist: Vanessa Hudgens

kitler53

so if i get the timeline right.

sony closes their liverpool studio
these employees band together to make firesprite studios
sony buys firesprite studios


horray for a wipeout revival?


Featured Artist: Vanessa Hudgens

the-pi-guy

Sep 08, 2021, 05:16 PM Last Edit: Sep 08, 2021, 05:24 PM by the-pi-guy
dang, makes their released game catalog look all the more dismal.   :P
They've expanded a lot over the past 12 months.
Likely to work on new projects with Sony.

Just back in February:


so if i get the timeline right.

sony closes their liverpool studio
these employees band together to make firesprite studios
sony buys firesprite studios


horray for a wipeout revival?
That is what happened, but they do not seem to be working on Wipeout.

They are currently hiring for a Narrative Adventure game:

>deliver exceptional quality interactions and gameplay for a AAA branching narrative adventure game.
>you will create compelling content that generates meaningful gameplay possibilities, supporting and altering the flow of the characters' choices and stories.
>The game is at an early stage and the successful candidate will play a role in shaping the game.
>This huge, highly ambitious partnership project takes atmosphere, storytelling, player agency and narrative firmly into ground-breaking territory on next-generation hardware technologies.


And an Action Shooter:

>ground-breaking next generation PvP shooter project with a Games as a Service focus. This is a AAA quality original IP at an exciting stage


And an Adventure VR:
>We're looking for a Senior Development Manager to assist with all aspects of planning and delivery on a VR action-adventure project adapted from one of the most original and successful multimillion selling console IP titles in the last 10 years.

kitler53

That is what happened, but they do not seem to be working on Wipeout.
sure, it was just a joke.   i just find the situation to be funny that they are reaquiring the studio the killed quite recently.

...can't wait for the japan studios revival!


Featured Artist: Vanessa Hudgens

the-pi-guy


Legend

I think this is the shooter they're talking about. Don't think there is a different one.


the-pi-guy

I think this is the shooter they're talking about. Don't think there is a different one.


>ENVIRONMENT ARTIST (STAR CITIZEN - THEATERS OF WAR)
>ENVIRONMENT ARTIST (ACTION SHOOTER):
The project is a huge multi-platform next generation action shooter experience with a heavy focus on Games as a Service

A bit of a similar description, but why wouldn't they use the actual title, instead of calling it a new IP?

Legend

>ENVIRONMENT ARTIST (STAR CITIZEN - THEATERS OF WAR)
>ENVIRONMENT ARTIST (ACTION SHOOTER):
The project is a huge multi-platform next generation action shooter experience with a heavy focus on Games as a Service

A bit of a similar description, but why wouldn't they use the actual title, instead of calling it a new IP?

Seems strange to be working on games with so many similarities simultaneously. Would be a hassle to prove to Cloud Imperium that Theaters of War funds only went to Theaters of War development. Reminds me of the John Carmack VR lawsuits or PUBG suing Fortnite without cause.

the-pi-guy

Seems strange to be working on games with so many similarities simultaneously. Would be a hassle to prove to Cloud Imperium that Theaters of War funds only went to Theaters of War development. Reminds me of the John Carmack VR lawsuits or PUBG suing Fortnite without cause.
Does this mode have an in game economy?

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We are looking for a Senior System Designer with detailed knowledge and/or experience designing in-game economies.

In this role, you will join an ambitious team working on a AAA quality new IP ahead of the games launch. Working with the lead systems designer and a cross discipline team, to create and develop engaging and robust design for the project as a whole.

Imagining and defining exciting and original features
F2P economy design for a multiplatform live service game