 Final logo used from 2016 to 2024 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
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| Industry | Video games |
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| Founded | 2002; 23 years ago (2002) |
| Defunct | 21 May 2024 (2024-05-21) |
| Fate | Closed |
| Headquarters | London ,England |
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| Website | playstationlondonstudio |
London Studio was a Britishvideo game developer ofPlayStation Studios based in London. Founded in 2002, it was best known for developing theSingStar series, as well as games for PlayStation's external peripherals including theEyeToy camera and thePlayStation VRvirtual reality headset. The studio created more than 60 titles since it was established.[1]
London Studio was established in 2002 following the merger of SCEE Studio Camden (formerly a division ofPsygnosis) andTeam Soho, the developer behindThe Getaway.[2] As London Studio, the studio developed theSingStar series, which became extremely popular and helped broaden the appeal of the PlayStation 2 beyond the typical demographics of young male gamers. The series sold more than 20 million copies within 6 years.[3] It also created a lot of games for Sony'sEyeToy webcam, and assisted the development of other Sony titles, such asKillzone 2 andLittleBigPlanet.[4] The studio was working on two AAA exclusives for thePlayStation 3 includingEight Days and the sequel toThe Getaway, but both were cancelled by Sony Europe as Sony wanted to reallocate resources to other first-party games.[5]
London Studio developed avirtual reality (VR) rendering technology, called LSSDK, which supports PlayStation 4 and PC. This engine was first used inPlayStation VR Worlds, which contained five virtual reality experiences: "The London Heist", "Into The Deep", "VR Luge", "Danger Ball" and "Scavenger's Odyssey".[6] WhileVR Worlds received mixed reviews, "London Heist" was critically acclaimed, and the game was commercially successful. Developing titles for the virtual reality headset became the company's main focus.[7] The studio's next game wasBlood & Truth, which serves as the successor to the London Heist level. It became the first VR title to reach number 1 on the UK's retail sales chart when it was released in May 2019.[8]
In 2022, the studio was working on a cooperative multiplayer game for the PlayStation 5. Set in a modern fantasy London, it was described by studio head Tara Saunders as the company's "most ambitious project to-date". Players wouldn't need to use a virtual reality headset to play this game.[9]
In February 2024, Sony announced that it was proposing the closure of the studio as part of wider layoffs that includes 8% of the company's workforce, or 900 employees.[10] The studio closed in May 2024.[11]
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