On Monday, Sony announced its acquisition of Savage Game Studios. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. Savage Game joined the newly formed PlayStation Studios Mobile division, which will focus on developing games based on existing and future PlayStation IPs.
According to Sony, the new studio, which will operate independently of console game production, intends to reach a new audience and give players more ways to interact with its content.
Savage Game Studios is already working on an untitled AAA mobile game. Sony said it’s too early to give any details about the new game.
“By expanding to more platforms, Sony Interactive Entertainment underscores its commitment to providing creative experiences for new players around the world,” said Hermen Hulst, head of PlayStation Studios, in a statement.
“We must continue to grow and expand our offering beyond the console, bringing fantastic new titles to more people than ever before,” Sony said. Bringing an outstanding team to Savage Game Studios is another significant step in that direction.”
Michael Cutkoff, Nadjim Ajir and Michael McManus created Savage Game Studios in 2020. The trio has years of experience at companies such as Insomniac Games, Zynga and Rovio. The studio has yet to create a single game.
After the acquisition, Savage Game Studios will be run by the company’s current management team. “Savage Game Studios was created by industry professionals looking to disrupt the current state of affairs and bring real innovation to mobile gaming,” said Michael Cutkoff, Savage Game Studios CEO and co-founder, in a statement.
“Today’s announcement underscores our unwavering view that SIE shares our enthusiasm for risk and experimentation.” We admire the stability and quality of PlayStation’s first party catalog, knowing how difficult it is in this industry to deliver as consistently as they do.
“Today’s announcement underscores our unwavering view that SIE shares our enthusiasm for risk and experimentation.” We admire the stability and quality of PlayStation’s first party catalog, knowing how difficult it is in this industry to deliver as consistently as they do.
We’re honored to be a part of that tradition and to work alongside PlayStation Studios’ world-class team of designers, artists and engineers. We’re still in the early stages of our unannounced project, but we can’t wait to show you more.”
Sony says its initiatives outside of consoles don’t undermine its commitment to the PlayStation community or its desire to continue making single-player, narrative-driven games. The corporation says its efforts in mobile gaming will allow more users to interact with its games.
Today’s announcement comes just weeks after Sony announced that its $3.6 billion acquisition of Bungie, the developer of Halo and Destiny games, went smoothly.
Bungie will remain a separate game studio at Sony, but its skills will be incorporated into the company’s strategy for PlayStation Studios, a division of Sony Interactive Entertainment that will develop tentpole games that emphasize the company’s technological strength.
