A few years ago, gaming giants Microsoft (Xbox) and Sony (playstation) both continued their acquisitions, buying studios left and right. Xbox has grown quite a bit in some cases, and the Bethesda/ZeniMax Media acquisition amply demonstrated that, but PlayStation seems to have been more strategic at the time. Between 2018 and 2022, Xbox acquired Playground Games, Ninja Theory, Undead Labs, Compulsion Games, Obsidian Entertainment, inXile Entertainment, Double Fine Productions, ZeniMax Media, and Activision Blizzard King. Between 2019 and 2022, PlayStation acquired Insomniac Games, Nixxes Software, Firesprite, Bluepoint Games, Housemarque, Valkyrie Entertainment, Haven Studios, Bungie, Neon Koi, and Firewalk.
The results a few years later were shocking for both sides. Microsoft's massive layoffs across Activision Blizzard King and Xbox Studios are no secret. Sony hasn't fared much better, shocking the industry with its recent decision to shut down Bluepoint Games. In fact, if you look at the list of studios Sony has acquired since 2019, it's clear that many haven't changed for the better, with 60% of studios experiencing mass layoffs or shutting down entirely.
Bluepoint Games (Demon's Souls, Shadow of the Colossus)
Bluepoint Games specializes in remasters/remakes and has produced several high-quality titles for PlayStation over the years. Still, it wasn't fully taken over until this event, and perhaps the most notable (and recent) are: devil's soul Remake, PS5 launch exclusive shadow of the colossus. It also helped Santa Monica. god of war ragnarokIt's worth noting that Santa Monica is also currently working on its next project. god of war Trilogy remake. After Ragnarok, Blue Point Games conducted a live service. god of war The game was canceled and things were quiet at the studio until recently. Sony announced that Bluepoint Games will close in March 2026.
Rearranges covers into correct US release order.
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Rearranges covers into correct US release order.
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Insomnia Games (Marvel Spider-Man, Marvel Wolverine)
Insomniac Games is a household name PlayStation studio, especially after the acquisition. gave birth to someone you love Marvel's Spider-Man The game is about to be released. Marvel's Wolverine Still, it's not immune to tough times in the industry, with widespread workforce cuts overseen by Sony impacting Insomniac Games in 2024. It has not been confirmed how many people have been laid off.
Nixxes software (ports, support)
Nixxes Software is a role player for PlayStation Studios, primarily working on ports and providing support to other studios. There are no known reports of layoffs at Nixxes Software, perhaps due to this particular niche. While it is possible that Nixxes has been impacted by layoffs in 2024, available industry reports suggest that Nixxes is on the safe side of an acquisition as of this writing.
Firesprite (Call of the Mountain Horizon)
Firesprite joint development Mountain Horizon Call We did some work for Guerrilla Games for PSVR2. Star Citizen. Firesprite was explicitly named among the studios affected by the February 2024 layoffs.
Moreover, a report from Eurogamer in 2024 states that crunch has been imposed on Firesprite. Mountain Horizon CallDevelopments since the acquisition, with employees and leadership leaving. It was then taken over by Sony's XDev support studio, and claims of a toxic workplace followed.
Housemarque (Return, Saros)
Housemarque joins Nixxes in terms of safe acquisitions. The reported layoffs with the latest PS5 exclusive have not affected the studio. saros Released in April.
Valkyrie Entertainment (Support)
Valkyrie Entertainment has a long history of supporting development across the industry, including joining PlayStation Studios as part of the Sony acquisition. It joins Housemarque and Nixxes without any reported large-scale layoffs.
Haven Studio (Fair Games)
Assassin's Creed Creator Jade Raymond founded Haven Studios in 2021, which was later acquired by PlayStation in 2022. Raymond left Haven Studios in 2025. Haven Studios fair games, The focus is on intensity. Although still active, with no widespread reports of layoffs, Raymond isn't the only talent to leave the studio. This suggests there may be a talent retention problem.
Bungie (Destiny, Marathon)
Bungie is best known for: halo and Destiny 2We are preparing to release a new extract shooter, Marathon, in March. Bungie has reportedly experienced at least two layoffs since the acquisition, with about 100 employees reportedly laid off in October 2023 and about 220 employees in July 2024.
Neonkoi (Mobile)
Originally called Savage Game Studios, Sony acquired Neon Koi in 2022 to expand into the mobile gaming space. Closed in October 2024.
Firewalk (Concord)
Sony acquired Firewalk in April 2023, and the studio released the much-criticized hero shooter Concord in August 2024. Two months later, in October 2024, the Firewalk closed.
