Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan Studio‘s final sign of life is now gone.

We previously discussed how Sony was toning down Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan Studio, which has been a prominent part of the developers of PlayStation-exclusive titles. More and more people began departing the studio, and since then, a new Japanese team, Team Asobi, was formed (and we discussed their introduction as well). However, for a long period (as recently as in June), the logo stayed on their web page with the description: „the long-standing talent behind some of PlayStation’s most original titles.” It’s over.

Its place was taken over by Team Asobi (who, according to PlayStation Studios’ boss Hermen Hulst, is working on a franchise for all ages), meaning the final life sign of the creators of Knack, LocoRoco, and Patapon is gone. The developers have left the building, too: Keiichiro Toyama, who previously worked on the first Silent Hill, as well as the (Forbidden) Siren and the Gravity Rush series, has formed his studio (Bokeh Game Studio) with hopes of releasing his first game independently in 2023.

And when Sony bought Housemarque (the devs of Returnal), we already mentioned a mistake by PlayStation’s Japanese Twitter account and blog, as they accidentally welcomed Bluepoint Games as well. This got wiped (but archived), and nothing official was said since, aside from Sony also buying the PC porting company Nixxes. However, rumours have popped up again.

Shpeshal Nick, a mostly reliable insider, just learned about this acquisition of the remaster/remake kings (Gravity Rush, Shadow of the Colossus, Demon’s Souls…), and rumours say that Sony is planning to hold a State of Play event on July 8, so not that far from now. Here, Sony might be announcing an official acquisition of Bluepoint Games.

However, since the accidental leak, it wouldn’t be as big of a surprise.

Source: VG247, WCCFTech