In a statement today, Sony Interactive Entertainment announced that they’ll be closing Guerrilla Cambridge, the developer behind RIGS Mechanized Combat League and Killzone Mercenary. Previously known as SCEE Cambridge Studio, they also worked on the MediEvil series, LittleBigPlanet for PlayStation Portable, 24: The Game, Primal, and more over the past 19 years.
All Guerrilla Cambridge staff will be laid off, but Sony will try to “reallocate people onto other projects” where possible and assist team members by speaking with local developers about job openings. Sony’s statement added:
It is regrettable that this decision will lead to compulsory redundancies. Whilst we accept that this decision will mean that we risk losing high calibre staff, by focusing on other Studios with exciting new projects in development, (including continued work on PlayStation VR), we believe we will be in a stronger position going forward and able to offer the best possible content of the highest quality to our players.
This decision should not take anything away from the incredible games and services that Guerrilla Cambridge has delivered.
And here’s Sony’s explanation behind the closure:
Within SIE Worldwide Studios, we have a regular process of review in order to consider projects coming to completion and the deployment of resources. In such a competitive landscape this enables us to continue to create and produce high-quality, innovative and commercially viable projects.
Having reviewed and assessed all current projects and plans for the short and medium term, we have decided that in order to deliver on our strategic objectives, it is necessary to make some changes to the European studios structure.
As a result, it has been decided that Guerrilla Cambridge Studio will close.
Despite saying “it is necessary to make some changes to the European studios structure,” no other Sony studios have been affected. Guerrilla Games in Amsterdam, who is currently working on Horizon Zero Dawn, will not be affected by the Guerrilla Cambridge closure.
The end of Guerrilla Cambridge comes 10 months after Sony closed DriveClub developer Evolution Studios.
[Source: Games Industry, Eurogamer]
