Sony’s Japan Studio Effectively Closed As Demon’s Souls Director Gavin Moore Departs

While Sony Interactive Entertainment appears to be solidifying a prominent stance with its first-party studios following the reception for majority of its exclusive releases on PlayStation 4, it is presumed that the standing in notable game studios are to remain with more projects to arrive as the latest PlayStation 5 occupies store shelves. However, that story cannot be repeated for Japan Studio.

While the developer is notable for releases such as Ape Escape, Shadow of the Colossus, Gravity Rush, and PaRappa The Rapper, a report emerged earlier this year suggesting complications internally at the PlayStation studio. Already, the team witnessed the departure of Masaaki Yamagiwa, Bloodborne producer, alongside other prevalent employees around the same time.

Now in a new discovery on Twitter, Gavin Moore is the next to say his goodbye to Japan Studio. Moore is most recognized for his work when being the director for Demon’s Souls for the PlayStation 5 remake. You can view the tweet in the post below:

Also to reiterate on a previous statement from Sony Interactive Entertainment, the firm told gamesindustry.biz that Japan Studio will effectively close at the start of April. Noted, Team Asobi will make up for the remainder of Japan Studio which corresponds with the initial report. “In an effort to further strengthen business operations, SIE can confirm PlayStation Studios Japan Studio will be re-organized into a new organization on April 1.

It continues, “Japan Studio will be re-centered to Team Asobi, the creative team behind Astro’s Playroom, allowing the team to focus on a single vision and build on the popularity of Astro’s Playroom. In addition, the roles of external production, software localization, and IP management of Japan Studio titles will be concentrated within the global functions of PlayStation Studios.”

In other upsetting news from Sony Interactive Entertainment, the PlayStation company reveals that the digital store for PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, and PlayStation Vita are to close later this summer. You can read the full report by heading here.

Are you upset by the direction Japan Studio is heading?