Sony Closes Bluepoint Games, Developer of Demon's Souls Remake
In a shocking move, Sony has shut down Bluepoint Games, the acclaimed developer responsible for the remakes of Demon's Souls and Shadow of the Colossus. This closure results in the loss of over 70 jobs and highlights the severe challenges currently facing the video game industry.
Industry in Crisis
The video games sector is grappling with multiple issues, including a memory crisis that could hinder hardware manufacturing for up to a decade. Additionally, gaming is increasingly losing ground to other forms of entertainment, such as gambling and pornography, in terms of consumer time and spending. This closure underscores the broader economic pressures impacting studios worldwide.
Bluepoint's History and Recent Struggles
Bluepoint Games, founded 20 years ago, was acquired by Sony five years ago. Known for its expertise in remasters and remakes, the studio gained fame with the Demon's Souls remake for the PlayStation 5 launch. However, since then, no new game announcements have been made. Behind the scenes, rumors suggest Bluepoint was working on a live service game, likely tied to the God of War franchise, which was among projects cancelled by Sony last year.
It remains unclear if Bluepoint was close to realizing its dream of developing a big-budget new intellectual property, as intended post-Demon's Souls. Recent hiring efforts indicated work on a third-person action game, but these plans have now been abruptly halted.
Official Statement and Industry Impact
Sony has not made a public announcement, but the closure was first reported by Bloomberg's Jason Schreier. An email from PlayStation CEO Hermen Hulst, later shared on ResetEra, cited rising development costs, slowed industry growth, changing player behavior, and economic headwinds as reasons for the decision. Hulst emphasized that the closure was not made lightly and praised Bluepoint's talent and contributions to the PlayStation community.
In addition to its remake work, Bluepoint served as a support studio for God of War Ragnarök, which likely influenced its involvement in the cancelled live service project. This closure may signal further troubles for Sony, with concerns already mounting about the futures of studios like Bungie and Bend Studio, which have not released new games in this generation.
Broader Implications
The shutdown of Bluepoint Games is a stark reminder of the volatile nature of the gaming industry. As companies adapt to economic pressures and shifting consumer trends, more studio closures could follow, affecting jobs and game development pipelines. This event serves as a cautionary tale for the sector's sustainability in challenging times.
