Sony Computer Entertainment has closed its Liverpool studio, it has said in a statement. The studio was responsible for the WipEout series, and handled the F1 series before Sony gave up the license.
“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,” said Sony in a statement. “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.”
Sony’s Liverpool Facility will continue to operate and house the company’s other Worldwide Studios and departments.
According to a Eurogamer source, Liverpool was at work on two PlayStation 4 launch titles before its closure. One of these was a new, “dramatically different” WipEout that had been in development between 12 and 18 months. The other was a Splinter Cell-style game, whose motion capture tech was said to be “a bit ahead of” L.A. Noire‘s.