The closure PlayStation’s Japan Studio in April 2021 didn’t really surprise former Sony executive Shawn Layden. In a new interview, Layden has shed some light on the beloved developer’s disbanding, and while he was “sad” to see it go, Layden understands why Sony made that decision.
PlayStation Japan Studio struggled to produce a hit game in its final years
Speaking to IGN, Layden said that Japan Studio hadn’t released a hit game in a “while,” and he thinks that’s an issue that a large number of Japanese developers have been facing. He’s of the view that studios with an excellent track record started experiencing troubles around the PS3 era due to a “technical shift,” with many of them unable to return to their former glory.
“There was so much legacy malaise,” Layden said of Japan Studio. “It’s tough when a studio hasn’t had a hit for a while, then they forget how that feels.” Layden thinks Sony’s approach to Team Asobi — which was born out of Japan Studio — is akin to “pruning a bonsai.”
Layden thinks that Japanese developers like Capcom and — to some extent — Bandai Namco Entertainment are in a good place. However, others like Square Enix, Koei Temco, and Konami are still somewhat struggling.