It’s true that Sony’s Japan Studio is responsible for everything from Shadow of the Colossus, to Ape Escape, to Gravity Rush, is now shutting down. The writing was seen on the wall for some time, as a number of best Japan Studio creatives, including Bloodborne producer Masaaki Yamagiwa, Demon’s Souls producer Teruyuki Toriyama, and Silent Hill and Gravity Rush creator Keiichiro Toyama have struck out recently on their own, but Sony officially informed it a few weeks back.
“In an effort to further strengthen business operations, SIE can confirm PlayStation Studios Japan Studio will be re-organized into a new organization on April 1. Japan Studio will be re-centred to Team Asobi, the creative team behind Astro’s Playroom, allowing the team to focus on a single vision and build on the popularity of Astro’s Playroom.”
Now it looks like the 20-year-veteran Gavin Moore will be the last major holdout turning out the lights, who has recently directed the PS5 remake of Demon’s Souls…
In recent days, other Japanese Studio names to inform their departures are producers Kentaro Motomura and Yasutaka Asakura, and Shunsuke Saito – the character designer of Gravity Rush. But one good thing is, most of the talent who leaving Sony are at least remaining in the industry. For example, Keiichiro Toyama has started his independent Bokeh Game Studio, which is already working on a new horror-flavoured action title.
What are your favorite games that any one of the Japan Studio folks has developed? Let me know in the comment section.
