Sony will be closing the studio responsible for development on PlayStation Vita title Little Deviants, in addition to restructuring Sony Cambridge to be linked closer to Guerrilla Games as they bring FPS series Killzone to the PlayStation Vita.
Sony confirmed a report about the situation initially made by Develop via the following comment to GI.biz (registration required):
Regular reviews take place throughout SCE Worldwide Studios, ensuring that the resources that we have in such a competitive business can create and produce high quality, innovative and commercially viable projects.
As part of this process, we have reviewed and assessed all current projects and plans for the short and medium term and have decided to make some changes to European Studios. It has been decided that Cambridge Studios will become closely linked with [Guerrilla] Studios and as such will focus on bringing the Killzone franchise to PlayStation Vita.
As a result of this, there will be a realignment of resource within the studio to ensure that the studio is in the best position to achieve this. It has also been proposed that BigBig Studio should be closed. BigBig have been an important part of SCE Worldwide Studios since joining in 2007. However, it was felt that by focusing on other Studios that are currently working on exciting new projects, we would be in a stronger position to offer the best possible content for our consumers.
It’s not known how many people are now without a job due to BigBig’s closure, or whether the restructuring of Sony Cambridge involved downsizing (sadly the most likely outcome of a restructure), but PSLS wishes the best to those affected.
The closure means that Sony now owns 15 first party studios, still more than its competitors.
