Psygnosis (developers of wipEout) shut down by Sony

(Gaming discussion not related to Shenmue)

Psygnosis (developers of wipEout) shut down by Sony

Postby QWERTY » Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:39 pm

Pretty gutted about this tbh. wipEout was responsible for a lot of people switching their attentions from the Saturn and N64 to the Playstation in the UK. End of an era.

http://www.siliconrepublic.com/new-medi ... legendary/

A 30-year pedigree in video game creation is hard to beat but sadly the Psygnosis development studio – Liverpool Studio – which has brought iconic games like the Wipeout series and Lemmings to the world is to close.

The closure of the studio is considered a major loss to the UK gaming industry in terms of its legacy of achievements and the talented creators who were based there.

The last game produced by the studio was Wipeout 2048 for the PlayStation Vita.

“As part of SCE Worldwide Studios, we do regular reviews to ensure that the resources we have can create and produce high quality, innovative and commercially viable projects in an increasingly competitive market place,” according to a Sony statement published on gaming site Kokatu.

“As part of this process, we have reviewed and assessed all current and planned projects for the short and medium term and have decided to make some changes to our European Studios.

“It has been decided that Liverpool Studio should be closed. Liverpool Studio has been an important part of SCE Worldwide Studios since the outset of PlayStation, and have contributed greatly to PlayStation over the years. Everyone connected with Liverpool Studio, past and present, can be very proud of their achievements.

“However, it was felt that by focusing our investment plans 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.

“Our Liverpool Facility will continue to operate, housing a number of other vital WWS!E and SCEE Departments,” Sony said.

QWERTY has received 2 thanks from: OL, Segata Sanshiro Jr.
User avatar
QWERTY
Pee Eye Zee Zee Ay
Banned
 
Joined: February 2004

Re: Psygnosis (developers of wipEout) shut down by Sony

Postby Crimson Ryan » Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:42 pm

Damn shame since I grew to be a big WipEout fan since HD. I also remember Psygnosis from the Amiga days. Were some of their games published by Ocean Software?

Also thank god someone realises it's spelt WipEout with an E and not an O!
User avatar
Crimson Ryan
Mac Tonight
Shenmue III
 
Joined: February 2004
Location: UK

Re: Psygnosis (developers of wipEout) shut down by Sony

Postby south carmain » Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:42 pm

no more wipeout? damn I didn't play it much but it was an iconic game
User avatar
south carmain
Comrade of the motherland
"Keep Friends"
 
Joined: February 2012
Favorite title: Shenmue IIx
Currently playing: okami hd

Re: Psygnosis (developers of wipEout) shut down by Sony

Postby Crimson Ryan » Wed Aug 22, 2012 5:44 pm

south carmain wrote:no more wipeout? damn I didn't play it much but it was an iconic game

Evolution Studios will probably make another one.
User avatar
Crimson Ryan
Mac Tonight
Shenmue III
 
Joined: February 2004
Location: UK

Re: Psygnosis (developers of wipEout) shut down by Sony

Postby Henry Spencer » Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:25 pm

Seems like developing for Vita is a death sentence.

Anyway, Colony Wars, G Police, Overboard!, Formula 1 series, Wipeout - they were masterful at Sony and a juggernaut for the Amiga system also.

They'll always be remembered as "Psygnosis" to me (Puggsy). A shame so many UK developers are dropping like flies, the tax certainly isn't helping things either, damn government.
User avatar
Henry Spencer
Let's go Catherine!
Shenmue III
 
Joined: July 2003
Location: The Office
PSN: harryangel666
XBL: Magiking
Favorite title: Shenmue
Currently playing: Yakuza Kiwami/Zelda: BOTW

Re: Psygnosis (developers of wipEout) shut down by Sony

Postby Segata Sanshiro Jr. » Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:27 pm

Henry Spencer wrote:Seems like developing for Vita is a death sentence.


Oh god, please don't say that :shock:
User avatar
Segata Sanshiro Jr.
Mannytaro
Shenmue III
 
Joined: July 2010
Location: Nueva Jork
PSN: Wildfire21
XBL: Wildfire Green
Favorite title: What's Shenmue
Currently playing: Rent A Hero

Re: Psygnosis (developers of wipEout) shut down by Sony

Postby Henry Spencer » Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:29 pm

Sorry, I meant for Sony's internal devs, three of them shut down very recently, back to back, all of their last games was for Vita.
And if it makes any difference, I'll buy your game.

Henry Spencer has received a thanks from: Segata Sanshiro Jr.
User avatar
Henry Spencer
Let's go Catherine!
Shenmue III
 
Joined: July 2003
Location: The Office
PSN: harryangel666
XBL: Magiking
Favorite title: Shenmue
Currently playing: Yakuza Kiwami/Zelda: BOTW

Re: Psygnosis (developers of wipEout) shut down by Sony

Postby Yama » Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:14 pm

Iew. I loved Wipeout, was one of the first games I got for my PSX.
User avatar
Yama
Shenmue Dojo Owner
Shenmue Dojo Owner
 
Joined: December 2003
Location: Los Angeles
PSN: YamaMX
Favorite title: Shenmue

Re: Psygnosis (developers of wipEout) shut down by Sony

Postby OL » Thu Aug 23, 2012 1:16 am

If Ryudo were here he'd just tell you how WipEout sucks and F-Zero is better, but I always loved WipEout. One of the first games I marvelled at on the original Playstation. Never had a full copy myself, but it's a series I always made a habit of playing the demos for.

Never payed much attention to the name Psygnosis myself I guess, but apparently they also published Lemmings, which was huge back in the day. Loved that game so much. Such a classic.
And yeah, Overboard and G-Police were great as well.
User avatar
OL
Yo jes hummilated yoursef
Shenmue III
 
Joined: May 2003

Re: Psygnosis (developers of wipEout) shut down by Sony

Postby QWERTY » Thu Aug 23, 2012 7:53 am

OL wrote:If Ryudo were here he'd just tell you how WipEout sucks and F-Zero is better


:lol:

F-Zero is good but I think I prefer WipEout tbh. Each to their own and all that but WipEout had a classier design and felt more like a proper futuristic racing sim rather than have the arcadey feel and terrible character/ship design that F-Zero had. Plus the soundtracks for the WipEout games are immense.

OL wrote:I always loved WipEout. One of the first games I marvelled at on the original Playstation.


True dat yo.

OL wrote:Never had a full copy myself, but it's a series I always made a habit of playing the demos for.


I would highly recommend getting hold of WO 2097 (XL in the States), WO 3: Special Edition and the WO HD/Fury combo for PS3. All great games and the one thing I like about WipEout is the learning curve; it's not too steep. F-Zero felt like it was a bit of a breeze for the first few races or so and then BAM - it would get pretty difficult. Where WipEout takes things slowly but once you're near the end of the games the speed on the later classes is ridonkulous.

QWERTY has received a thanks from: OL
User avatar
QWERTY
Pee Eye Zee Zee Ay
Banned
 
Joined: February 2004

Re: Psygnosis (developers of wipEout) shut down by Sony

Postby Riku Rose » Thu Aug 23, 2012 7:56 am

I would never have been able to tell you the makers of the Wipeout series but it's a series that sticks in my mind. When I think of the Saturn it's always one of the first games I think about.

I've got the PS3 version free after the PSN hack I might finally give it a go.
User avatar
Riku Rose
Shenmue III
Shenmue III
 
Joined: February 2006
Location: Kent, England
Currently playing: Yakuza 6

Re: Psygnosis (developers of wipEout) shut down by Sony

Postby QWERTY » Thu Aug 23, 2012 8:15 am

Riku Rose wrote:I would never have been able to tell you the makers of the Wipeout series but it's a series that sticks in my mind. When I think of the Saturn it's always one of the first games I think about.


Yeah they were a big name in the 90s. They also made Destruction Derby, Colony Wars, Puggsy, Wiz N Liz, Shadow of the Beast, Rollcage, Krazy Ivan and obviously Lemmings as previously mentioned. I'll always remember them for a lot of their Amiga output too.

Riku Rose wrote:I've got the PS3 version free after the PSN hack I might finally give it a go.


Get involved.
User avatar
QWERTY
Pee Eye Zee Zee Ay
Banned
 
Joined: February 2004

Re: Psygnosis (developers of wipEout) shut down by Sony

Postby Segata Sanshiro Jr. » Thu Aug 23, 2012 8:18 am

QWERTY™ wrote:F-Zero is good but I think I prefer WipEout tbh.


Just generally or the nintendo made ones, personally I wouldn't take anything over the Sega made one. Other then that I'd take wipeout.
User avatar
Segata Sanshiro Jr.
Mannytaro
Shenmue III
 
Joined: July 2010
Location: Nueva Jork
PSN: Wildfire21
XBL: Wildfire Green
Favorite title: What's Shenmue
Currently playing: Rent A Hero

Re: Psygnosis (developers of wipEout) shut down by Sony

Postby Crimson Ryan » Thu Aug 23, 2012 8:21 am

QWERTY™ wrote:
Riku Rose wrote:I would never have been able to tell you the makers of the Wipeout series but it's a series that sticks in my mind. When I think of the Saturn it's always one of the first games I think about.


Yeah they were a big name in the 90s. They also made Destruction Derby, Colony Wars, Puggsy, Wiz N Liz, Shadow of the Beast, Rollcage, Krazy Ivan and obviously Lemmings as previously mentioned. I'll always remember them for a lot of their Amiga output too.

Riku Rose wrote:I've got the PS3 version free after the PSN hack I might finally give it a go.


Get involved.

I'll give you guys a race. May be a bit rusty though..
User avatar
Crimson Ryan
Mac Tonight
Shenmue III
 
Joined: February 2004
Location: UK

Re: Psygnosis (developers of wipEout) shut down by Sony

Postby QWERTY » Thu Aug 23, 2012 8:26 am

Segata Sanshiro Jr. wrote:
QWERTY™ wrote:F-Zero is good but I think I prefer WipEout tbh.


Just generally or the nintendo made ones, personally I wouldn't take anything over the Sega made one. Other then that I'd take wipeout.


Generally. I've spent a lot of time on F-Zero GX but the whole shebang isn't up there with the best WipEout games imo. WipEout feels a smoother experience when moving your ship whereas F-Zero feels more erratic and the lack of dedicated weapons means there is far less tactical play in comparison to WipEout. Plus as I said previously, WipEout's art direction and soundtrack far exceeds anything that F-Zero has to offer. I'm a slight Nintendo fanboy, but when it comes to futuristic racing sims I think Psygnosis are unparalleled.

Crimson Ryan wrote:I'll give you guys a race. May be a bit rusty though..


Yeah, I'm up for that. I haven't played it in a while so will get some practice in beforehand!

QWERTY has received a thanks from: Segata Sanshiro Jr.
User avatar
QWERTY
Pee Eye Zee Zee Ay
Banned
 
Joined: February 2004

Next

Return to General Gaming

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 1 guest

Powered by phpBB © 2000-
ShenmueDojo.net