Psygnosis
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Company type | Subsidiary |
---|---|
Industry | Video game industry |
Founded | 3 July 1985 |
Founder | Ian Hetherington David Lawson Jonathan Ellis |
Defunct | 22 August 2012 |
Fate | Merged |
Successor | XDev |
Headquarters | , |
Products | Wipeout series Formula One series Colony Wars series |
Parent | Sony Computer Entertainment |
Psygnosis Limited was a video game developer and publisher headquartered at Wavertree Technology Park in Liverpool, England. It is formerly part of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios. Founded in 1984 by Jonathan Ellis, Ian Hetherington and David Lawson, the company later became a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment, and at the time of its closure employed roughly 100 individuals comprising two development teams. Mick Hocking oversaw Studio Liverpool's operations as its last Group Studio Director, a position he continues to hold within Evolution Studios.
Studio Liverpool was the oldest and second largest development house within Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's stable of developers, and is best known for the Wipeout series of futuristic racing games, with the first instalment released on the original PlayStation in 1995. The studio is also known for the Formula One series of licensed racing games, and the Colony Wars series released on the original PlayStation. As Psygnosis, they were the original publishers of the Lemmings series.
Reports of Studio Liverpool's closure surfaced on 22 August 2012, with Edge quoting staff tweets.[1] Staff were told the news by the vice president of Sony Worldwide Studios Europe, Michael Denny.[2] In a press release Sony stated that after an assessment of all European studios, it had decided to close Studio Liverpool. Sony said that the Liverpool site would remain in operation, as it is home to a number of Sony World Wide Studios and SCEE Departments.[3]
History
As Psygnosis
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/3d/Psyclapse_logo.png/220px-Psyclapse_logo.png)
Founded by Jonathan Ellis, Ian Hetherington and David Lawson, the Liverpool-based Psygnosis was indirectly born from the ashes of the defunct 8-bit game company Imagine Software, where Lawson was one of the founders and Hetherington was Financial Director. After the collapse of Imagine in 1984, the name and trademarks were bought by Ocean Software, while the rights of the software remained with original copyright owners.[citation needed] After Imagine, Lawson and Hetherington set up a new company called Finchspeed which used Bandersnatch (one of Imagine's much-hyped but never completed "Megagames") as the basis of what became Brataccas, the first game published by Psygnosis.[4]
The name of another Imagine Megagame – the proposed but never developed Psyclapse – was later used by Psygnosis as an alternative label for some of their releases,[5] such as Captain Fizz Meets The Blaster-Trons[6] and Ballistix.
Psygnosis produced only one title in 1986, Deep Space, a complex, difficult space exploration game. The box artwork was very distinctive with a black background and fantasy artwork bordered in red. This style was maintained for the better part of ten years. For the next few years, Psygnosis's releases contained increasingly improved graphics, but were marred by similarly difficult gameplay and control methods.
The original company headquarters were located at the Port of Liverpool Building at the Pier Head in Liverpool, but soon moved to Century Buildings in Brunswick Business Park (also in Liverpool), and later moved down the road 200 metres to South Harrington Building in South Harrington Dock.
Although Psygnosis primarily became a game publisher, some games were developed fully or partly in-house. During the early days, artists were employed full-time at the headquarters, offering third-party developers, who were often just single programmers, a high-quality art resource. This allowed Psygnosis to maintain high graphical standards across the board. The original artists were Garvan Corbett, Jeff Bramfitt, Colin Rushby and Jim Bowers, with Neil Thompson joining a little later.
Obliterator, released in 1988, contained an opening animation by Jim Bowers (now a digital matte painter for the movie industry). This short scene would pave the way for increasingly sophisticated intro animations, starting with 2D hand drawn sequences, and then progressing into FMV and 3D rendered movies created with Sculpt 4D on the Amiga. Eventually, Psygnosis would buy Silicon Graphics workstations for the sole purpose of creating these animations.
While most games companies of the mid-to-late 1980s (including Psygnosis) were releasing identical games on both the Amiga and Atari ST, Psygnosis started to use the full potential of the Amiga's more powerful hardware to produce technically stunning games, with the landmark title Shadow of the Beast bringing the company its greatest success so far in 1989. Its multi-layered parallax scrolling and stunning music were highly advanced for the time and as such led to the game being used as a showcase demonstration for the Amiga in many computer shops.
Psygnosis consolidated its fame after publishing the DMA Design Lemmings game franchise: debuting in 1991 on the Amiga, Lemmings was soon to be ported to a plethora of different computer and video game platforms, generating many sequels and variations of its concept through the years. Microcosm, a game that appeared on the FM Towns, Amiga CD32, and 3DO furthered the company's reputation for games with excellent graphics but limited and poorly designed gameplay.
Psygnosis also created the "Face-Off" games in the Nickelodeon 1992 television game show, Nick Arcade, such as "Post Haste", "Jet Jocks" and "Battle of the Bands".
In 1993, the company was acquired by Sony Electronic Publishing.[7][8] In preparation for the September 1995 introduction of Sony's PlayStation console in Western markets, Psygnosis started creating games using the PlayStation as primary reference hardware. Among the most famous creations of this period were Wipeout, G-Police, and the Colony Wars series, some of which were ported to PC and to other platforms. Psygnosis stated that the PlayStation marked a turning point in their game design, and that their games were now moving away from the prerendered graphics and limited gameplay that the company had become associated with.[9] This was an extremely successful period for the company; in the 1995-96 financial year, Psygnosis games accounted for 40% of all video games sales in Europe.[10]
The acquisition was rewarding for Sony in another aspect: development kits for PlayStation consoles. As it had previously published PSY-Q development kits for various consoles by SN Systems, Psygnosis arranged for them to create a development system for the PS based on cheap PC hardware. Sony evaluated the system during CES in January 1994 and decided to adopt it.[11]
As Psygnosis expanded after the Sony buyout, another satellite office was opened in Century Building with later offices opening in Stroud, England, London, Chester, Paris, Germany, and Foster City in California (as the Customer Support & Marketing with software development done in San Francisco), now the home of Sony Computer Entertainment America. The company headquarters has resided at Wavertree Technology Park since 1995.
The Stroud studio was opened in November 1993 in order to attract disgruntled MicroProse employees. Staff grew from initially about 50 to about 70 in 1997.[12] Among the titles created at Stroud are Overboard! and G-Police.[12] The Wheelhouse—its publishing name—was closed in 2000 as part of the Sony Computer Entertainment takeover of Psygnosis. Some members joined Bristol-based Rage Software, but faced a similar demise a number of years later.
Despite being owned by Sony, Psygnosis retained a degree of independence from its parent company during this period and continued to develop and publish titles for other platforms,[13] including the Sega Saturn[14][15] and the Nintendo 64.[16] This caused friction between Psygnosis and Sony, and in 1996 Sony engaged SBC Warburg's services in finding a buyer for Psygnosis.[17][18] However, though bids reportedly went as high as $300 million (more than ten times what Sony paid for the company just three years before),[19] after six months Sony rescinded their decision to sell Psygnosis. Relations between the two companies had improved during this time, and Sony became reconciled to Psygnosis releasing games for competing platforms.[20]
As Studio Liverpool
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4f/Studio_Liverpool_Logo.png)
In 2000, the publishing branch of the company was merged into Sony Computer Entertainment Europe as a whole, and the Psygnosis brand was dropped in favour of SCE Studio Liverpool, which marked the full integration of the studio within Sony Computer Entertainment. Psygnosis's Camden and Stroud studios were renamed Studio Camden (later merged with Team Soho to form SCE London Studio) and Studio Stroud.
The newly named SCE Studio Liverpool released its first title, Formula One 2001, in 2001. The game was also the studio's first release on the PlayStation 2, and the first entry in the Formula One series after taking over from developer Studio 33. From 2001 to 2007, Studio Liverpool released 8 instalments in the series between the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 3. However, Sony Computer Entertainment's exclusive licence with the Formula One Group expired, without renewal, before the 2007 season, marking the end of any further Formula One series instalments from the developer.
Studio Liverpool also created Wipeout Fusion, the first of two instalments of the series on the PlayStation 2, released in 2002. Next they developed Wipeout Pure for the PlayStation Portable, which launched alongside the handheld in 2005 to significant acclaim, with many media outlets heralding it a return to glory for the series. They followed up with the sequel Wipeout Pulse in 2007 which was later ported to the PlayStation 2 and released exclusively in Europe and the UK.
In 2008, they released Wipeout HD, a downloadable title for the PlayStation 3's PlayStation Network service, consisting of various courses taken from both Wipeout Pure and Wipeout Pulse remade in high definition. An expansion pack for Wipeout HD named Wipeout HD Fury is currently available at PlayStation Network, including new game modes, new tracks, new music and new ship skins/models.[21] In 2007 a copy of Manhunt 2 was leaked online prior to its release by an employee from the Sony Europe Liverpool office.[22]
Closure
On 29 January 2010, Sony made the following public statement: "It has been decided that production on a number of projects within Studio Liverpool will cease immediately due to project prioritisation. Our North West Studio Group has been and will continue to be a vital cog in the WWS family, with a history of producing genre defining games such as MotorStorm, Wipeout, Formula 1 and WRC and this decision will have no impact of the role that the North West Studio Group will play in the future of all PlayStation platforms".[23]
The closure of Studio Liverpool was announced on 22 August 2012. In a press release Sony stated that after an assessment of all European studios, it had decided to close Studio Liverpool. Sony said that the Liverpool site would remain in operation, as it is home to a number of Sony World Wide Studios and SCEE Departments.[3]
Eurogamer was told by an unnamed source, that at the time of its closure, Studio Liverpool was working on two PlayStation 4 launch titles. One was a Wipeout title described as "dramatically different", the other was a motion capture based game along the lines of Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell.[24] Because of the closure which left the company forming mainly XDev, it is possible if the two games will go to Xdev.
Spin-off studios
In 2013 a number of former Studio Liverpool employees formed two new studios: Firesprite[25] which worked on the visuals of The Playroom for the PlayStation 4.,[26] and Playrise Digital who had success in the mobile sector with Table Top Racing and are now working on a brand version for PS4, Xbox One and PC called "Table Top Racing: World Tour".
XDev
XDev, Sony's external development studio is responsible for managing the development of titles at developers that are outside of Sony's own developer group. It has won 8 British Academy (BAFTA) video game awards and AIAS awards for LittleBigPlanet, 3 BAFTA awards for the Buzz! series and Develop Industry Excellence Awards for MotorStorm and Buzz!.[27]
Games
Games developed or published as Psygnosis
Games developed as SCE Studio Liverpool
Game title | Year released | Platform(s) |
---|---|---|
Formula One 2001 | 2001 | PlayStation 2 |
Wipeout Fusion | 2002 | PlayStation 2 |
Formula One 2002 | 2002 | PlayStation 2 |
Formula One 2003 | 2003 | PlayStation 2 |
F1 04 | 2004 | PlayStation 2 |
Wipeout Pure | 2005 | PlayStation Portable |
F1 05 | 2005 | PlayStation 2 |
F1 06 | 2006 | PlayStation 2 |
PlayStation Portable | ||
Wipeout Pulse | 2007 | PlayStation 2 |
PlayStation Portable | ||
Formula One Championship Edition | 2007 | PlayStation 3 |
Wipeout HD | 2008 | PlayStation 3 |
Wipeout HD Fury (DLC) | 2009 | PlayStation 3 |
Wipeout 2048 | 2012 | PlayStation Vita |
See also
References
- ^ Brown, Nathan (22 August 2012). "Sony to close Studio Liverpool – Edge Magazine". Edge-online.com. Archived from the original on 6 December 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Crossley, Rob. "PlayStation News: Sony to axe Liverpool studio". ComputerAndVideoGames.com. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
- ^ a b Yin-Poole, Wesley. "Sony closes WipEout developer Sony Liverpool • News •". Eurogamer.net. Archived from the original on 23 August 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "The Making Of: Bandersnatch – Edge Magazine". Edge-online.com. 4 September 2009. Archived from the original on 2 January 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Psygnosis History". The Purple One. Archived from the original on 29 August 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
Psyclapse was actually the name of a Commodore 64 game that was never released [but] was to live on as a division of Psygnosis.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Captain Fizz Meets the Blaster-Trons (Advert)". Lemon Amiga. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
- ^ "SCE Worldwide Studios – SCE Studio Liverpool". Worldwidestudios.net. 20 February 2009. Archived from the original on 31 January 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "The 7th International Computer Game Developers Conference". Computer Gaming World. July 1993. p. 34. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2014.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "PlayStation: Sony's Bid for Power". Next Generation (3). Imagine Media: 41. March 1995.
- ^ "Sony's Video Games Onslaught Continues!". Maximum: The Video Game Magazine (7). Emap International Limited: 72–73. June 1996.
- ^ "History of the PlayStation – PSX Feature at IGN". uk.psx.ign.com. 28 August 1998. Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b "E3: Psygnosis Co-founder Speaks: part 2 – PSX News at IGN". uk.psx.ign.com. 19 June 1997. Archived from the original on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Publisher: Psygnosis". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Psygnosis Develops for Saturn". gamezero.com. 2 February 1996. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Sleeping with the Enemy". Electronic Gaming Monthly (81). Ziff Davis: 20. April 1996.
- ^ "Psygnosis to Develop for N64". gamespot.com. 17 April 1998. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
- ^ "Divorce for Sony and Psygnosis". Next Generation. No. 19. Imagine Media. July 1996. p. 14.
- ^ "Sony May Sell Psygnosis". GamePro. No. 95. IDG. August 1996. pp. 16–17.
- ^ Svensson, Christian (November 1996). "Psygnosis Bidding Hits $300 Million". Next Generation. No. 23. Imagine Media. p. 26.
- ^ Svensson, Christian (February 1997). "Sony Halts Psygnosis Sale". Next Generation. No. 26. Imagine Media. p. 28.
- ^ Buckley, Tony (1 June 2009). "WipEout HD Fury Expansion Pack – PlayStation.Blog.Europe". blog.eu.playstation.com. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20160911073344/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/10/22/manhunt_2_leaked_by_sony_europe_employee/. Archived from the original on 11 September 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Missing or empty|title=
(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Elliott, Phil (28 January 2010). "Sony to restructure Liverpool studio | GamesIndustry International". gamesindustry.biz. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley. "Sources: Sony Liverpool was working on WipEout PS4 and a Splinter Cell style game for PS4 • News •". Eurogamer.net. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Wawro, Alex (5 December 2013). "Former Psygnosis/Studio Liverpool devs unite to form Firesprite". Gamasutra. Think Services. Archived from the original on 14 December 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (6 December 2013). "From the ashes of WipEout dev Studio Liverpool rises Firesprite". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 8 December 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "SCE Worldwide Studios – Publishing Europe". Worldwidestudios.net. 25 February 2009. Archived from the original on 15 June 2012. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
{{cite web}}
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External links
- Official website at the Wayback Machine (archived 31 January 2013)
- Psygnosis profile at MobyGames
- UnOfficial Site Psygnosis on Amiga
- Use dmy dates from August 2012
- Companies disestablished in 2012
- Defunct companies based in Liverpool
- Defunct video game companies
- First-party video game developers
- Sony Interactive Entertainment game studios
- Video game companies established in 1984
- Video game companies of the United Kingdom
- Video game development companies
- Video game publishers
- Video game companies disestablished in 2012