Sony Liverpool Studios closes today

Sad news in the world of video games today as Sony have announced they are to close their Liverpool based studio. This was the base for the popular and spectacular futuristic racing game WipEout. Before it was bought by Sony, the studio traded as Psygnosis from 1984 until 2003 and produced other titles such as Lemmings, Destruction Derby and even the Discworld games.

More recently Studio Liverpool was working on the PS3 and Vita versions of WipEout and it has later emerged the next generation version of the racing game as well as a third person shooting title for the PlayStation 4. No word on if these projects are cancelled or have been sourced to other studios but it is a sad time for those involved and the industry as a whole.

In a statement from Sony they say that:

“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”