Sony silences dark outlaw games – another playstation studio bites the dust
Sony is pulling the plug on Dark Outlaw Games, a PlayStation Studios project spearheaded by veteran Call of Duty zombie designer Jason Blundell. Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier dropped the bombshell on BlueSky, revealing Sony’s impending decision to shutter the fledgling studio – a move that underscores a troubling trend within the console giant’s portfolio.
A short, sharp history
Founded in March 2025, Dark Outlaw Games was a relatively new entity, tasked with developing an unannounced title under the direction of Jason Blundell. Despite a brief existence, the studio never released a game, effectively ending its run before it even had a chance to make a mark. Schreier’s reporting, consistently reliable for leaks concerning layoffs and studio closures, paints a picture of a swift and decisive end to the project.
This isn’t an isolated incident. It’s the second studio casualty linked to Blundell in just two years. He previously led Deviation Games, a venture aimed at developing a PlayStation title, but that project stalled, leading to the company’s abrupt closure in 2024. Sony then swiftly brought Blundell on board to revive his ambitions with Dark Outlaw Games in March 2025. A year later, the studio is now ceasing operations – a remarkably truncated timeline.
Playstation’s troubled track record
Sony’s recent actions follow a period of intense scrutiny and significant setbacks. The company’s decision to shutter Bluepoint Games in February, citing a “business review,” sent shockwaves through the industry. Bluepoint, previously celebrated for its meticulous remakes of classics like Shadow of the Colossus and Demon’s Souls, was acquired in 2021 with the intention of integrating into PlayStation Studios, yet never delivered a game under Sony’s banner – the Demon’s Souls Remake, while a Sony-supported title, remained independent.
Adding to the pressure, Schreier also reports that PlayStation is undertaking significant cost-cutting measures within its mobile game development divisions, resulting in the layoff of approximately 50 employees. While official statements remain scarce, and Sony has yet to confirm the closure of Dark Outlaw Games, the situation highlights a broader restructuring within the company. The reasons behind Sony’s decision remain opaque, but echoes of Bluepoint’s “business review” suggest a similar narrative of strategic realignment is likely to emerge.
This latest closure isn’t simply a loss for Blundell; it’s a stark reminder of the risks inherent in ambitious, albeit short-lived, studio ventures within a console landscape increasingly dominated by established franchises. The industry watches closely, anticipating further announcements and wondering what this signifies for the future of PlayStation Studios.