Cory Barlog hinted that Sony Santa Monica is working on a new, technically ambitious IP, possibly to be revealed later this year, but recent updates suggest the initial claim may have been based on a fake account, and Sony has denied any association with the source.
Cory Barlog hinted at a new, technically ambitious IP from Sony Santa Monica, but recent updates suggest the initial claim about the project being in development may be false, and Sony has not confirmed any details yet.
Sony Santa Monica is working on a new, technically ambitious original IP, with plans to reveal it later this year, following their success with God of War Ragnarök.
Game Freak, the developer behind Pokémon, announced a new IP called Beast of Reincarnation during the Xbox showcase. Set in near-future Japan, the game features a character battling large monsters and is scheduled for release on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC in 2026, marking a venture into original game development beyond Pokémon.
Deviation Games, the studio formed by Call of Duty's Zombies mode creator Jason Blundell and Treyarch veteran Dave Anthony, has announced its closure before shipping out the game it was developing in partnership with PlayStation. The studio's Chief HR & Operations Officer shared the news on LinkedIn and expressed gratitude to the team, while also organizing a networking event to assist those affected by the closure. This adds to a series of layoffs and studio closures in 2023 and 2024, following EA's shutdown of Ridgeline Games and the closure of Rooster Teeth.
Hideo Kojima and Sony are collaborating on a new "action espionage" game, marking Kojima's return to the stealth genre he pioneered with Metal Gear Solid. Development will start after the release of Death Stranding 2 in 2025, and Kojima envisions the game as a blend of movie and video game elements, aiming to transcend the barriers between the two mediums.
Second Dinner, developer of Marvel Snap, secures $100 million investment from Griffin Gaming Partners to continue developing Marvel Snap for years and to work on new projects. The investment will also support the incubation of original IP and the commercialization of new titles. The game, which has seen rapid success since its release, is now fully cross-platform and the majority of the team is focused on its development, with plans for additional "super super fun" projects in the works.
Mac Walters, the lead writer for BioWare's Mass Effect series, has discussed his departure from the studio after 19 years. Walters cited his desire to work on something new and the lack of opportunity within BioWare or EA as reasons for leaving. He highlighted the positive experience of working on the Mass Effect: Legendary Edition remaster, which reminded him of the early days at BioWare. Walters expressed his desire to work on a new IP with a small, "scrappy" team, leading him to start a fresh venture with the Vancouver-based studio, Worlds Untold.
Disney's theatrical efforts have been struggling, with underperforming tentpoles and a streaming deficit impacting profits. The recent release of 20th Century's original sci-fi action film, "The Creator," underperformed at the box office, raising concerns about the studio's commitment to new franchise efforts. However, there are upcoming films like "Amateur" and a potential "Clue" film that could offer new IP opportunities. Despite past failures, the success of recent films like "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" and "Barbie" demonstrates the potential for launching successful franchises from previously unsuccessful IPs. Disney should be open to partnering with IP holders and embrace new ideas to generate success at 20th Century.
In a leaked email from 2020, Xbox CEO Phil Spencer argues that AAA videogame publishers have failed to adapt to the shift from physical to digital distribution and subscription models like Microsoft's Game Pass. This has led to a reliance on production scale and a reluctance to invest in new IPs. Spencer notes that AAA publishers are milking their top franchises but struggling to create new hit franchises, while relying on rented IPs. He also discusses the impact of game subscriptions on publishers and the need for adaptation in the industry.
Microsoft expects Bungie's new IP, possibly called "Matter," to release in 2025, according to confidential documents released during the ongoing Xbox FTC trial. The documents also reveal that Bungie plans to open a new studio in Amsterdam by 2022 for ongoing support on Destiny 2 and development of the new IP. Bungie trademarked the name "Matter" in 2018, and previous teases suggest the new IP may be comedic and feature whimsical characters.
Sony is set to host its next PlayStation Showcase on May 24th, promising a show that’s more than an hour long with news about games for PS5 and PSVR 2. The event will feature new creations from PlayStation Studios, third-party partners, and indie creators, including new IP. Sony is investing heavily in new franchises and live service games, with 50% of its PlayStation Studios investments estimated to be in new IP by the 2025 fiscal year. Fans can expect updates on upcoming blockbusters like Spider-Man 2 and Wolverine, as well as potential surprises like Death Stranding 2 and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.
Take-Two plans to release 16 games in the coming fiscal year, including a new IP from a premier studio, three immersive core games, two mid-core arcade titles, two iterations of previously released games, three independent titles, and six mobile games. NBA 2K24 and WWE 2K24 are among the releases, but the new IP is the most intriguing. GTA 6 is still further out.
Game Freak, the developers behind Pokémon, are partnering with Private Division to create a new action-adventure IP called Project Bloom. The game is still in early development and won't launch until Take-Two's fiscal year 2026. The initial concept art shows a brooding character in traditional Japanese clothing in a dreamy forest, hinting at a moodier tone compared to Game Freak's past work.
Private Division has partnered with Game Freak to develop a new action-adventure game called Project Bloom. The game is a new IP and is expected to be tonally different from Game Freak's prior work. The release date has not been announced yet, but it is expected to launch during Take-Two's Fiscal Year 2026.