Category Archives: Playstation

Business, Gaming, News, Playstation

Insomniac Games CEO Announces Retirement After Three Decades

Ted Price, the founder and president of Insomniac Games, announced his retirement after over 30 years with the studio. Price, who has been instrumental in creating beloved franchises like “Spyro the Dragon,” “Ratchet & Clank,” and “Marvel’s Spider-Man,” shared his decision to step down at the end of March 2025.

In his blog post, Price expressed his gratitude for the fulfilling career he has had and his confidence in the new leadership team. He introduced Chad Dezern, Ryan Schneider, and Jen Huang as the new co-heads of Insomniac Games, who will continue to lead the studio into the future.

Price also acknowledged the challenges faced by the team due to recent events, such as the LA wildfires, and praised the Insomniac employees for their resilience and dedication. He emphasized his commitment to supporting those affected and ensuring a smooth transition for the studio.

Therefore, last week, I felt comfortable announcing to the Insomniac team that after having been incredibly fortunate to enjoy such a fulfilling career in games, I’ll be retiring from the industry at the end of March. Today, I’m sharing this news more broadly.

I actually made this decision last year. For me, after over 30 years of leading Insomniac, I felt it was simply time to step aside and let others pave the way for our team. 

During the past year, I had the opportunity to work with the senior leadership team at Insomniac to create a succession plan that I know will provide the continuity, stability and strong leadership necessary to deliver more of what our fans cherish over the next several decades.

Ted Price founded Insomniac Games in 1994 as Xtreme Software, which was later renamed Insomniac Games in 1995. The studio’s first project was “Disruptor” for the original PlayStation, which didn’t perform well commercially.

In 2019, Insomniac Games was acquired by Sony Interactive Entertainment and became part of PlayStation Studios. This acquisition marked a significant milestone for the studio, solidifying its position within the PlayStation ecosystem.

Ted Price has been the president and CEO of Insomniac Games for over 30 years. Under his leadership, the studio has grown and produced numerous successful games.

Games, Gaming, News, Playstation

Astro Bot wins big at the 14th New York Game Awards

The 14th Annual New York Game Awards, hosted by the New York Videogame Critics Circle, celebrated the best games of 2024 with a spectacular ceremony held in Manhattan. Among the night’s biggest winners was Team Asobi’s Astro Bot, which took home the coveted Game of the Year award, along with two additional accolades for Best Kids Game and Best Music.

Released in September 2024, Astro Bot has been a critical and commercial success. The game, which allows players to control Astro as they attempt to save lost Bots and restore the PS5 mothership, has been praised for its charm, environmental design, and innovative use of the DualSense controller. With a player rating of 100 on OpenCritic, Astro Bot has become the most awarded platformer in history, boasting 110 Game of the Year trophies to date.

During the ceremony, Astro Bot’s director, Nicolas Doucet, expressed his overwhelming shock and gratitude for the win. Doucet admitted that he didn’t expect to win the coveted award and remembered very little of his acceptance speech due to his excitement.

The game’s winning streak doesn’t seem to be over just yet, as more accolades keep pouring in.

While Astro Bot led the night with three wins, other games also received recognition. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree won Best World and Best DLC, and Studio Zero’s Metaphor: ReFantazio took home the award for Best Writing in a Game. Indie hit UFO 50 was named Best Indie Game, and Troy Baker received the award for Best Acting in a Game for his portrayal of Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

With its incredible success, fans are eagerly awaiting what Team Asobi has in store for Astro Bot. Recent rumors suggest that more DLC may be coming in 2025, including a possible Tekken crossover. Additionally, a new speedrunning level for Astro Bot was featured in the finals of a recent PlayStation Tournaments XP event, though it’s unclear when this will be added to the game.

The 14th Annual New York Game Awards Winners

Big Apple Award for Best Game of the Year
Astro Bot

Off-Broadway Award for Best Indie Game
UFO 50

Herman Melville Award for Best Writing in a Game
Metaphor: ReFantazio

Statue of Liberty Award for Best World
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Tin Pan Alley Award for Best Music in a Game
Astro Bot

Great White Way Award for Best Acting in a Game
Troy Baker as Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Coney Island Dreamland Award for Best AR/VR Game
Batman: Arkham Shadow

Central Park Children’s Zoo Award for Best Kids Game
Astro Bot

A-Train Award for Best Mobile Game
Zenless Zone Zero

Freedom Tower Award for Best Remake
Silent Hill 2

Chumley’s Speakeasy Award for Best Hidden Gem
Mouthwashing

NYC GWB Award for Best DLC
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Knickerbocker Award for Best Games Journalism
Simone De Rochefort & Clayton Ashley

Andrew Yoon Legend Award Recipient
Sam Lake

Breaking, Games, Gaming, News, Playstation

PlayStation Live Services future in question?

In a surprising turn of events, Sony has announced the cancellation of two more live service games, one of which was a highly anticipated God of War title. The affected projects were being developed by Bend Studio and Bluepoint Games, two of Sony’s well-regarded studios.

As part of Sony Interactive Entertainment past CEO Jim Ryan’s legacy, one of his last main task was having Sony announcing an ambitious plans to launch over 10 new live service games by 2026.

However, the company’s recent decisions indicate a significant shift in strategy. The cancellations follow the mixed results of their live service experiments, with notable successes like Helldivers 2 and notable failures like Concord.

BREAKING: PlayStation has canceled two more live-service games, from subsidiaries Bend and Bluepoint, Bloomberg has learned.Fans have long wondered what Bluepoint has been working on for the last couple of years. I can report it was a live-service God of War game. www.bloomberg.com/news/article…

— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier.bsky.social) 2025-01-16T23:09:48.705Z

The two cancelled projects were part of a larger initiative to expand Sony’s portfolio of live service games. According to Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier, Bluepoint Games was working on a live service game set in the God of War universe. This news came as a shock to fans who had speculated about Bluepoint’s new projects since their well-received PS5 remake of Demon’s Souls.

Bend Studio, known for their work on Days Gone, was reportedly developing a new IP with multiplayer elements that built upon the open-world systems of their previous game. Unfortunately, neither project will see the light of day.

In response to the cancellations, a Sony spokesperson emphasized that neither Bend Studio nor Bluepoint Games would be closed down. The company is working closely with both studios to determine their next steps. Sony’s CEO Hermen Hulst had previously indicated a renewed focus on single-player games, which seems to align with the recent cancellations.

Needless to say that the cancellations have raised concerns among PlayStation fans about the future of Sony’s software lineup. With several live service projects scrapped, there is speculation that Sony may be shifting its focus back to single-player experiences. While this may disappoint fans of live service games, it could also mean exciting new single-player titles from Sony’s talented studios.

Sony’s decision to cancel these live service games marks a significant moment in the company’s gaming strategy. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Sony adapts and what new projects they will bring to the market.

Games, Gaming, News, Nintendo, PC, Playstation, Xbox

LUNAR Remastered Collection for nostalgia & new fans

GungHo Online Entertainment America has just announced the release of the LUNAR Remastered Collection, bringing two beloved JRPG classics back to life for a new generation of gamers. The collection, featuring LUNAR: Silver Star Story Complete and LUNAR 2: Eternal Blue Complete, will be available both physically and digitally on April 18, 2025.

Originally developed by GAME ARTS for the original Playstation, these games have captivated fans with their romantic storytelling and breathtaking soundtrack. The remastered edition not only preserves the heart of the original games but also introduces modern enhancements such as wide-screen support, high-definition pixel and animated art, and quality-of-life updates like customizable battle and strategy setting.

The collection will be available on PlayStation 4 (compatible with PlayStation 5), Xbox One (compatible with Xbox Series X|S), Nintendo Switch, and Steam. Digital editions are priced at $49.99 USD / €49.99 EUR, while physical editions will be available for $54.99 USD in North America and €54.99 EUR in Europe. The physical editions will feature reversible covers with new key arts illustrated by Toshiyuki Kubooka.

Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer to the LUNAR saga, this remastered collection promises to captivate you with its timeless charm and enhanced features. Dive back into the enchanting worlds of LUNAR and experience the magic all over again!

Entertainment, Gaming, Movies, News, Playstation

Get a glimpse of the Until Dawn movie

Exciting news for horror fans! The highly anticipated Until Dawn movie, based on the popular 2015 interactive drama horror game by Supermassive Games, is set to hit theaters on April 25, 2025. Directed by David F. Sandberg and written by Gary Dauberman, the film promises to expand the universe of the game while offering a fresh, standalone story.

Back in 2015 in the game, players control eight young adults who find themselves trapped on Blackwood Mountain. The story begins with the disappearance of two sisters, Hannah and Beth Washington, during a snowstorm. A year later, their brother Josh invites his friends back to the lodge to celebrate the anniversary of their disappearance.

As the night unfolds, the group faces various threats, including a masked killer, and must survive until dawn. The game’s unique butterfly effect system means that players’ choices directly impact the story, leading to multiple possible endings.

First Look at the Movie

Sony recently released the first look at the movie, giving fans a glimpse of what’s to come. The teaser trailer reveals that the film will incorporate a time loop mechanic, similar to the game. Characters will relive the same night repeatedly, each time facing different horror scenarios. Director David F. Sandberg explains that this approach allows the movie to capture the same tone and vibe as the game while expanding on its mythology.

The film will follow Clover and her friends as they venture into the remote valley where Melanie disappeared. They will explore an abandoned visitor center, only to be stalked by a masked killer. Each time they die, they wake up at the beginning of the same night, forced to relive the nightmare with different threats each time. The only way to escape is to survive until dawn.

Cast includes: Ella Rubin as Clover, Michael Cimino as Max, Odessa A’zion as Nina, Ji-young Yoo as Megan, Maia Mitchell as Melanie, Belmont Cameli as Abel, and Peter Stormare as Dr. Hill (a new character different from his role in the game).

UPDATE – First trailer got released!

CES 2025, Entertainment, Events, Gaming, Movies, News, Playstation, TV Series

Sony to hit deep the gas for Playstation Productions

Sony Pictures has revealed plans to adapt two of its popular video game franchises into feature films: Helldivers 2 and Horizon Zero Dawn. The announcements were made during Sony’s press conference at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on January 7, 2025, which means that Playstation Productions will stop being AFK.

It was confirmed that works will begin for a Helldivers, Horizon Zero Dawn, both as movies and an anime adaptiation based on Ghost of Tsushima.

The Helldivers 2 movie will be produced by Sony Pictures. The game, developed by Arrowhead Game Studios, is a squad-based co-op shooter set in a dystopian sci-fi universe. Players take on the role of elite soldiers known as Helldivers, tasked with liberating planets across the galaxy from extraterrestrial threats.

The movie is expected to capture the game’s fast-paced, action-packed battles and dark humor.

The Horizon Zero Dawn movie will be a collaboration between Columbia Pictures and PlayStation Productions. The game, developed by Guerrilla Games, is an open-world action RPG set in a post-apocalyptic world dominated by robotic creatures. The story follows Aloy, a young hunter seeking to uncover the mysteries of her past and the collapse of an advanced civilization. The film adaptation aims to bring Aloy’s journey and the game’s stunning visuals to the big screen.

While it was already suggeestd a few years ago that Playstation Productions was having Horizon on the pipeline, but it was rumored to be a series to be showcased on Netflix.

In addition to the film adaptations, Sony also announced an anime series based on Ghost of Tsushima. The series will be produced by Crunchyroll and Aniplex and is set to air in 2027. The anime will be inspired by both the game’s campaign and its multiplayer Legends mode, featuring a supernatural storyline.

This appears to be unrelated to the already announced Ghost Of Tsushima movie that has Chad Stahelski (John Wick movie series) as Director.

Other Announcements

Sony also revealed that the second season of The Last of Us TV series will premiere in April 2025 on HBO and Max. Additionally, a film adaptation of Until Dawn is scheduled to be released in theaters the same month and finally, a reminder that the second season of Twisted Metal TV Series is in production and it is expected that the season will introduce Calypso and the proper Twisted Metal event.

Breaking, Games, Gaming, News, Playstation, Xbox

Two Myths About Black Myth: Wukong Debunked

I guess that timing is something to be decided internally despite the convenience of it and final Game Science, the developer behind the popular action RPG Black Myth: Wukong, has recently clarified the reasons behind the game’s delayed release on Xbox platforms.

The game, which has been a massive success on PC and PlayStation 5, has not yet launched on Xbox and it was finally confirmed by its developer that is due to technical challenges with the Xbox Series S, which in retrospective is not a good narrative for Microsoft and its quest of Xbox Series S to be taken as important as Series X.

The main issue stems from the Xbox Series S’s limited memory. The console has 10GB of shared memory, which is lower than the Xbox Series X’s 16GB. This has caused significant optimization challenges for Game Science, leading to memory leaks and performance issues

Initially and at the same situation when Baldur Gate 3’s Xbox version, Microsoft suggested that the delay was due to internal quality concerns and denied any inherent limitations of the Xbox platform.

However, Game Science’s director, Feng Ji, recently contradicted this by explicitly blaming the Series S’s memory limitations

Despite the delays, Game Science is committed to ensuring that the game meets their quality standards before releasing it on Xbox. They are working on optimizing the game to provide a smooth and enjoyable experience on all Xbox models.

There was speculation that the delay might be due to an exclusivity deal with PlayStation, but Feng Ji’s recent statement has put those rumors to rest. The primary issue remains the technical limitations of the Series S.

Indeed, Xbox fans have expressed disappointment over the delay, as they have been eagerly awaiting the game’s release on their platform. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges developers face when creating graphically intensive games for different console hardware.

Games, Gaming, News, Playstation

Sony knew Astro Bot long-term Playstation benefit

Evidently, despite claiming not to have a major launch for 2024, Sony and PlayStation Studios achieved unexpected success with the surprise announcement and release of Astro Bot. This established a new IP star, the first original PlayStation IP since LittleBigPlanet and its success, including winning The Game Awards’ Game of the Year title. This success suggests that PlayStation’s dormant IPs might receive a renewed focus and potentially benefit from a similar long-term strategy.

In a detailed interview with Famitsu, PlayStation co-CEO Hermen Hulst discussed Sony’s openness to reviving its classic game franchises.

Hulst emphasized that PlayStation aims to offer a broad range of experiences by leveraging both its first-party studios and external developers. He highlighted the importance of PlayStation’s extensive IP portfolio and the company’s goal to publish games by the world’s best creators.

Of course, Hulst took the opportunity to praise the success of Astro Bot, which has sold 1.5 million copies in its first nine weeks. He noted that nearly 40% of those sales came from players who were either purchasing a PlayStation game for the first time or for the first time in two years.

This success has contributed significantly to the expansion of the PlayStation community, attracting younger players and families.

Hulst also reflected on the legacy of PlayStation’s classic IPs, mentioning titles like Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and God of War as major inspirations for the company’s future direction. He acknowledged the challenges of the live-service model, referencing the infamous launch and quick shutdown of Concord this year.

Overall, Hulst’s vision for PlayStation involves a balance of honoring its rich history while continuing to innovate and collaborate with top developers to create new and exciting gaming experiences.

Gaming, News, Playstation

Sony became a big shareholder of Kadokawa

Sony Group Corporation and Kadokawa Corporation have announced a strategic capital and business alliance, which will see Sony acquiring 12,054,100 new shares of Kadokawa for approximately 50 billion yen (around $318 million).

This deal, set to be finalized on January 7, 2025, will make Sony the largest shareholder in Kadokawa, holding approximately 10% of its shares.

This alliance aims to maximize the value of both companies’ intellectual properties (IPs) globally. Sony and Kadokawa have a history of collaboration, and this new partnership will further strengthen their cooperation. The two companies plan to work together on various initiatives, including:

  • Adapting Kadokawa’s IPs into live-action films and TV dramas globally.
  • Co-producing anime works.
  • Expanding the global distribution of Kadokawa’s anime works through Sony’s extensive network.
  • Further expanding the publishing of Kadokawa’s games.
  • Developing human resources to promote and expand virtual production.

Takeshi Natsuno, CEO of Kadokawa, expressed his enthusiasm for the alliance, stating that it will strengthen Kadokawa’s IP creation capabilities and increase their IP media mix options with Sony’s support for global expansion. He believes this will greatly contribute to maximizing the value of their IP and increasing their corporate value in the mid- to long-term.

Hiroki Totoki, President, COO, and CFO of Sony Group Corporation, also commented on the alliance, highlighting that it will allow Sony to become the largest shareholder of Kadokawa, which consistently creates a wide variety of IPs, including publications, books, games, and anime. He emphasized that by combining Kadokawa’s extensive IP and IP creation ecosystem with Sony’s strengths, they aim to realize Kadokawa’s ‘Global Media Mix’ strategy and Sony’s ‘Creative Entertainment Vision’.

It was heavily suggested that Kadokawa was not interested on selling portions of its assets and wanted a full buyout from Sony if a deal in that height would have been in the table, because apparently Sony was just interested on all anime entertainment portion and FromSoftware, but evidently, this wasn’t the case.

Games, Gaming, News, Playstation

Killzone has made its return but as a collab with Helldivers 2

The gaming world is buzzing with excitement as Helldivers 2 announces a thrilling collaboration with the iconic Killzone series! This crossover brings together the intense, cooperative gameplay of Helldivers with the gritty, futuristic world of Killzone, creating an unforgettable experience for fans of both franchises.

The collaboration features a range of Killzone-inspired armor sets, weapons, and cosmetics. Players can now gear up with the StA-52 Assault Rifle, AC-1 Dutiful Helmet, and AC-1 Dutiful Armor, all reminiscent of the Helghast faction from Killzone.

The collaboration also includes a high-capacity StA-11 SMG and a powerful PLAS-39 Accelerator Rifle, adding new layers of strategy and firepower to the game.

Community Feedback and Adjustments

Initially, the collaboration faced some backlash due to the high prices of the items. However, Arrowhead Game Studios listened to the community’s feedback and decided to offer some of the items for free. Players can now enjoy the StA-11 SMG and PLAS-39 Accelerator Rifle without spending any in-game currency. Additionally, the duration of items in the Superstore has been extended to reduce the fear of missing out (FOMO) effect.

The collaboration is just the beginning, with Arrowhead Game Studios planning more exciting updates and events. The developers are committed to bringing more content and ensuring that the collaboration remains a valuable addition to the game.

Meanwhile…

Sony announced a special Helldivers 2 Limited Edition of the PS5 DualSense controller that will be sold exclusively on the PS Direct on US market.

The controller will cost $84.99