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[Update] Sony Confirms PlayStation Japan Studio Re-Organized, Centered Around ASOBI Team

[Update] Sony Confirms PlayStation Japan Studio Re-Organized, Centered Around ASOBI Team - News

by William D'Angelo , posted on 01 March 2021 / 4,287 Views

Update:

Sony has confirmed to IGN that Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan Studio will be re-organized and centered around Team ASOBI starting April 1. 

"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," said Sony in a statement. "JAPAN Studio will be re-centered 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.

"In addition, the roles of external production, software localization, and IP management of JAPAN Studio titles will be concentrated within the global functions of PlayStation Studios."


Original article:

Sony has let go of the majority of Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan Studio staff after their annual contracts were not renewed, according to multiple sources who spoke with VideoGamesChronicle. The next business starts on April 1. 

The ASOBI Team, as well as the localization and business employees, will remain at Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan Studio. ASOBI Team has developed the Astro Bot games and will continue as its own studio, according to the sources. 

Bloodborne producer Masaaki Yamagiwa recently announced via Twitter that he is leaving Sony Interactive Entertainment at the end of the month. 

Report: Sony Winding Down PlayStation Japan Studio, ASOBI Team Remains

Yamagiwa is one of several recent developers who have left Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan. Teruyuki Toriyama, who worked on Bloodbornethe Demon’s Souls remake, and more, left in December. Silent Hill and Gravity Rush creator Keiichiro Toyama also recently left the company to form his own studio.

Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan Studio is PlayStation's longest-running first-party studio. It was established in 1993 and has produced over 300 games. 


A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.


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16 Comments
FloatingWaffles (on 25 February 2021)

man this shit is heartbreaking, they provided so much creativity and uniqueness to Playstation's history. asobi staying is good at least tho, but now I worry about how often we'll see things like LocoRoco, Rain, Ape Escape, or any of those types of creative games from Sony again if ever :(

  • +9
KratosLives (on 26 February 2021)

Man I have a bad feeling about mr ryan... wish jack tretton was still around.

  • +6
Tridrakious (on 25 February 2021)

They focused on very creative projects, however, creative projects tend to be expensive gambles. Unfortunately, they didn't sell well enough obviously.

  • +5
Vendrom (on 25 February 2021)

When there’s smoke there’s fire... too bad SIE Japan got treated like this

  • +4
hunter_alien (on 25 February 2021)

Expected honestly... still, it's a sad day. At least Asobi remains.

  • +4
TallSilhouette (on 25 February 2021)

Sucks. Sounds like SIE is shifting even further West, but with the potential for licensed anime games...

  • +3
Cerebralbore101 (on 26 February 2021)

Welcome to Sony with shitty western leadership. Creativity no longer allowed.

  • +1
Tridrakious Cerebralbore101 (on 26 February 2021)

That western leadership has brought us Dreams, Astro's Playroom, PSVR, Returnal and so much more.

  • +4
LivncA_Dis3 (on 26 February 2021)

Absolutely sad news gawdamn!
Pandemic hits and sales didn't match of course ur going to get the axe.

  • 0
vonny (on 26 February 2021)

Japan Studio has been poor for over a decade its not just about games not selling well but games falling through, pump up Team Asobi and invest money else where thats not going to be burnt on nothing.

  • 0
DonFerrari (on 26 February 2021)

That seems like a sad new, I don't mind they sending the coordination and things like that for outside projects to central, but them they should have also added teams to make more than just team asobi project.

  • 0
Vengeance1138 (on 26 February 2021)

With the latest update to the article, this news sounds amazing. Will definitely make things better as they strengthen around one of their best teams.

  • 0
Dante9 (on 26 February 2021)

Can't say they have made anything that I'm going to miss. Silly niche games that don't appeal to a large enough audience. Always sucks if people lose their jobs, though. I hope everyone lands something new and exciting.

  • 0
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