Sucker Punch Productions has been a PlayStation-exclusive developer ever since its second game, Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus, released for the PlayStation 2. The developer moved on to produce the well-received inFamous series for the PlayStation 3. However, the studio had always technically been a third-party developer who simply chose to produce stellar games for the PlayStation consoles. It now looks like their loyalty has finally paid off in a big way.
Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios has announced today that they have acquired Sucker Punch Productions. According to the press release, this acquisition will not affect day-to-day operations of the company:
Its day-to-day operations will continue to be run by the current management team and company founders in conjunction with SCE WWS Foster City Studio.
So this move appears to be Sony roping in another stellar developer to ensure quality exclusive titles down the line, much like they did recently with the acquisition of Media Molecule. Brian Fleming, Managing Partner for Sucker Punch Productions, expressed what this means for the studio:
As a part of the Sony Computer Entertainment group we look forward to introducing more innovative content and providing consumers with exciting, new interactive experiences.
We’ve enjoyed an incredible relationship with Sony that has allowed us to combine our creative design capabilities with their guidance to make some of the best franchises to hit the PlayStation platforms. Equally important, the relationship with SCE has provided us the flexibility and trust to take creative risks and invent new properties. As a part of the Sony Computer Entertainment group we look forward to introducing more innovative content and providing consumers with exciting, new interactive experiences.
Shuhei Yoshida, president of SCE WWS said:
Sucker Punch Productions is one of the most highly acclaimed development studios in the industry and we have enjoyed a wonderful relationship with the company for over 12 years. We are delighted to officially welcome them to the SCE family.
The addition of Sucker Punch to SCE WWS reiterates our dedication to developing world class gaming experiences that can only be found on the PlayStation platform. With one of the strongest exclusive software lineups in the PS3′s history, combined with the diverse, innovate content in the works for PlayStation Vita, consumers have a lot to be excited about this year.
With the well-received inFamous 2 behind them,the team is no doubt working on another AAA title, something that now will only see release on a PlayStation platform.
