Sony Liverpool, a studio with one of the longest and proudest track records in video game history, has been closed.


While this is sad news at the best of times, what makes this particularly devastating for the British industry (and older gamers) is the fact that Sony Liverpool, once known as Psygnosis, have been around for almost thirty years, and are responsible for publishing the original Lemmings, creating the WipeOut series and having some of the greatest box art in the history of the medium.


Sony told Kotaku in a statement:

As part of SCE Worldwide Studios, we do regular reviews to ensure that the resources we have can create and produce high quality, innovative and commercially viable projects in an increasingly competitive market place. As part of this process, we have reviewed and assessed all current and planned projects for the short and medium term and have decided to make some changes to our European Studios. It has been decided that Liverpool Studio should be closed. Liverpool Studio has been an important part of SCE Worldwide Studios since the outset of PlayStation, and have contributed greatly to PlayStation over the years. Everyone connected with Liverpool Studio, past and present, can be very proud of their achievements. However, it was felt that by focusing our investment plans on other Studios that are currently working on exciting new projects, we would be in a stronger position to offer the best possible content for our consumers. Our Liverpool Facility will continue to operate, housing a number of other vital WWS!E and SCEE Departments. This should not take anything away from the great work WWS are doing and the incredible games and services that we have made, and continue to make, both for this coming year and further in the future.

G/O Media may get a commission LG 75-Inch 8K TV Buy for $2150 from BuyDig Use the promo code ASL250

The studio's last game was the excellent Wipeout 2048 for the PlayStation Vita.

WipEout 2048: The Kotaku Review Racing games on handheld systems can be a tough sell—with a smaller screen and lower hardware… Read more