Sony Computer Entertainment announced that it will be shutting down Studio Liverpool, and that its resources will be put into other studios. Sony's statement about the closing read as follows:
"As part of SCE Worldwide Studios, we do regular reviews to ensure that the resources we have can create and produce high quality, innovative and commercially viable projects in an increasingly competitive marketplace. As part of this process, we have reviewed and assessed all current and planned projects for the short and medium term and have decided to make some changes to our European Studios.
It has been decided that Liverpool Studio should be closed. Liverpool Studio has been an important part of SCE Worldwide Studios since the outset of PlayStation, and have contributed greatly to PlayStation over the years. Everyone connected with Liverpool Studio, past and present, can be very proud of their achievements.
However, it was felt that by focusing our investment plans on other Studios that are currently working on exciting new projects, we would be in a stronger position to offer the best possible content for our consumers.
Our Liverpool Facility will continue to operate, housing a number of other vital WWSE and SCEE Departments. This should not take anything away from the great work WWS are doing and the incredible games and services that we have made, and continue to make, both for this coming year and further in the future."
The day before Sony released the statement, Liver Pool Developer Sandy Lobban tweeted: "End of an era today for Studio Liverpool. Honored to have been a part of it."
The studio was founded in 1984 under the name Psygnosis and garnered recognition for the Wipeout Series of futuristic racing games. The studio was purchased by Sony in 1193 and re-branded as Studio Liverpool in 2001. The last game released by the studio was the PlayStation Vita title Wipeout 2048, which was released this past February.
