Sony officially closes Neon Koi and Firewalk Studios; The studio behind Concord
As a long-time gaming enthusiast who has witnessed the rise and fall of numerous studios, I can’t help but feel a pang of empathy for the dedicated teams at Neon Koi and Firewalk Studios. The news of Sony shutting down these studios is not only disheartening but also a stark reminder of the volatile nature of our beloved industry.
Sony is officially shutting down these two studios.
Following the revelation of Sony’s latest game, Concord, being closed only a few weeks after launch, the corporation has now confirmed that the studio responsible for creating Concord, Firewalk, will be permanently closed as well. In their official announcement, it was additionally disclosed that Neon Koi, Sony’s mobile game development subsidiary, will also cease operations.
Here is the full scoop.
Sony to shut down Neon Koi and Firewalk Studios
Other day, I received a heartbreaking message from Herman Hulst, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, straight from his inbox. It was shocking news for many colleagues and game creators like me, as it seemed our jobs were being put on the line.
In an effort to fortify the Studio Business of SIE, we’ve found ourselves at a challenging crossroads, necessitating a tough choice regarding two of our studios – Neon Koi and Firewalk Studios, as expressed by Hulst in his message.
Initially, Hulst’s ideas centered on the continued investigation by Neon Koi and Sony into the realm of mobile gaming.
“While mobile remains a priority growth area for the Studio Business, we are in the very early stage of our mobile efforts. To achieve success in this area we need to concentrate on titles that are in line with PlayStation Studios’ pedigree and have the potential to reach more players globally.”
Hulst then broke the news.
Using a new strategy, Neon Koi is planning to shut down operations, meaning their mobile action game won’t be developed any further.
The announcement hit hard for many, yet there was more to come in the email. Hulst clarified the destiny of Firewalk Studios.
Firewalk Studios shuts down
Following decades of work, culminating in one of the most significant disappointments in gaming history, Sony has opted to close the studio responsible for creating Concord: Firewalk Studios.
After careful consideration, Hulst stated that the most suitable course of action is to retire the game permanently and shut down the studio. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone at Firewalk for their exceptional work, creativity, and commitment.
It’s truly disheartening to witness a dedicated team, having poured years of effort into their game, dismantled so abruptly. I fervently hope that those who lost their jobs at the closed studios can quickly find a new work environment soon.
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2024-10-30 23:11