Sony shutters internal studio Dark Outlaw Games

Dark Outlaw Games, a studio affiliated with PlayStation, has been closed. The studio was established by Jason Blundell, a former Treyarch developer, in March. Although the project they were developing has not been disclosed, the closure has been officially confirmed by Sony.

According to a statement given to PC Gamer, Sony stated they are making "strategic adjustments" for sustainable future growth. This has led to some workforce reductions, and the company expressed appreciation for the affected employees' efforts.

Image credit: Dark Outlaw Games

Jason Schreier of Bloomberg reported the closure on social media, noting further budget cuts in mobile development impacting approximately 50 employees. ResetEra indicated these reductions occurred in both the US and UK.

Prior to founding Dark Outlaw Games, Blundell launched Deviation Games alongside Dave Anthony in 2020, signing an agreement with PlayStation for a new premium title. Blundell departed Deviation Games in 2022, after which the studio reportedly dismissed 99 employees. It was ultimately closed by March 2024.

Recently, Sony also announced the shutdown of Bluepoint Games following an internal review, affecting 70 positions. Bluepoint was recognized for its work on games such as God of War Ragnarok and remakes of Demon's Souls, Shadow of the Colossus, and Uncharted.