Jason Schreyer (Jason Schreier) published an investigation about the situation inside Sony. In short:

One of the studios tried to gain creative independence and took up a remake The Last of Us. First Sony approved production, but then transferred it to Naughty Dog, And the investor studio returned to the role of the developer on the patch.

Creators Days Gone from Sony Bend to the Premier League Sony have not yet made their way: last year the corporation cut down the sketches for Days Gone 2, And from Sony Bend I tried to make assistants Naughty Dog.

U Sony There is a unit Visual Arts Service Group In San Diego, California. Schreyer calls him the "unprepared hero" of PlayStation hits: the company helps the stars Sony with animation, artistic part and other things. For example, Visual Arts Participated in production Uncharted And Marvel’s Spider-Man.

About three years ago, the bosses of the group decided to conquer more creative control and lead the development of a new project. Founder Visual Arts Michael Mambauer (Michael mumbauer) gathered 30 employees to open a new star unit inside Sony. The main idea is to expand the most successful PlayStation franchises.

As the first independent https://playuzucasino.uk project team Mambauer I chose a remake, since it would be easier for remakes to "sell" the leadership Sony: They need less production time, they attract old fans and curious newcomers. First team Mambauer I wanted to recreate the first Uncharted 2007, but the idea was stalled-the game was noticeably outdated, it needed additional design efforts. Then Visual Arts I took up something of the fresher – the first The Last of Us.

Sony Pre -approved the project. He was given a code name T1x, And the existence of the team Mambauer kept secret – she did not even have an official name. Raise the budget for production Sony Refused. By the spring of 2019, the team Mambauer completed a vertical cut – a small piece that should demonstrate how the rest of the game will look and feel and feel.

Somewhere at that moment in Sony The bosses changed: family PlayStation Worldwide Studios He headed Hurman Hulst (Hermen Hulst), former leader Guerrilla Games. He was not impressed T1x: Hulst I calculated the project too expensive, since previous remakes werepounded Sony cheaper. Team Mambauer I insisted that the money is necessary for the new engine specifically for PlayStation 5 and the hiring of developers for redesign gaming mechanics. Hulsta The arguments did not convince.

Then there was a transfer The Last of Us Part II. IN Visual Arts 200 people were listed – most were transferred to support Naughty Dog, to properly polish Part II. Development T1x Slow down very much.

When work on Part II We were completed, the team Mambauer Returned to T1x, But Sony changed the roles in places: some employees Naughty Dog should have helped Visual Arts With a remake The Last of Us. Some of the assistants worked on the original, which gave them much more weight in decision-making. Project budget was entered into the budget Naughty Dog. Gradually a team Mambauer I realized that she had lost control of the remake – he was transferred to the management Naughty Dog.

Yes, from the point of view Sony This is a wise solution: Naughty Dog – Her key studio at the moment. However, the teams are inside Sony, who dreamed of independent projects, remained disappointed. Naughty Dog Still engaged in remake The Last of Us With the support Visual Arts, But almost all the leaders from the team Mambauer, working over T1x, left the company. The remaining employees Visual Arts began to jokingly call their studio Naughty Dog South.

As the interlocutors say Schreyer, This situation demonstrates conservativeness Sony: She has many internal studios, but she prefers only to the elect – those who make the most successful blockbusters for the company. The problem is that because of this Sony does not allow other teams to open up.

For example, Sony Bend I haven’t got into my favorite yet: her Days Gone She became profitable, but Sony confused mixed reviews and heavy production. Last year Bend I proposed to start development Days Gone 2, But the leadership refused. Instead, one part Sony Bend will help with a multiplayer game Naughty Dog (Apparently, based on The Last of Us Part II), and the other was sent to engage in the project on Uncharted, Also under supervision Naughty Dog.

Schreyer writes that some employees Bend (including leading roles) decision Sony It was anxious: they were afraid that they would turn into a unit Naughty Dog. Against this, some quit, but in the end the leaders Bend convinced the authorities to remove them from the project on Uncharted – Now they are engaged in an independent game. Although to the multiplayer The Last of Us Part II, Seems like, Bend Still counted.

[Addition from 20:07 Moscow time. As clarifies Schreyer, He does not know if he continues Bend work on your own game. But she is still engaged in a multiplayer in The Last of Us Part II.]

Obsession with blockbusters at Sony noticeable and without inside: say, in recent months has collapsed Sie Japan Studio, Famous by Ape Escape, Locoroco, Patapon, Gravity rush, The Last Guardian and many other relatively small games. Now Japan Studio It is part of the composition Asobi Team (Astro’s Playroom), A Sony He believes that she does not need less large -scale games that are really popular except in Japan.