Sony Shuts Down Dark Outlaw Games, a First-Party Studio

Sony has announced the closure of Dark Outlaw Games, a first-party studio for PlayStation. The studio was founded by Jason Blundell, a veteran developer who previously worked at Treyarch, in March 2025. At the time of its closure, the studio was working on a project that had not been publicly disclosed. In a statement to PC Gamer, Sony confirmed the decision, citing the need for "strategic adjustments to support long-term sustainability." The company also acknowledged that there were limited workforce reductions across certain teams, expressing appreciation for the contributions of those affected. News of the closure was first reported by Jason Schreier of Bloomberg, who also noted that PlayStation is making additional cuts, including in mobile development, affecting around 50 people. According to reports, these cuts are taking place in the US and UK. Before establishing Dark Outlaw Games, Blundell co-founded Deviation Games in 2020, which had partnered with PlayStation to develop an original AAA IP. However, Blundell left Deviation Games in 2022, and the studio subsequently underwent significant changes, including a major reduction in staff and eventual shutdown. This news follows the recent closure of Bluepoint Games, a remaster studio that was known for its work on titles such as God of War Ragnarok and Demon's Souls, resulting in the loss of 70 jobs.