Former PlayStation head says the rise of AAA games shut down Japan Studio because Sony “wanted to drive hardware sales with games like God of War and Uncharted”
Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida said Japan Studio was closed because Sony increasingly prioritised large, blockbuster games that could help sell PlayStation hardware, such as God of War and Uncharted. His comments highlight how the rising cost and commercial importance of AAA development reshaped Sony’s studio strategy, leaving less room for teams known for smaller or more experimental projects.
Japan Studio, one of Sony’s oldest internal teams, developed or supported games including Ape Escape, Gravity Rush, Patapon and Astro Bot. Sony announced the studio’s reorganisation in 2021, with much of its remaining work absorbed into Team Asobi, while several former staff later formed independent studios.
- Sony prioritised blockbuster games designed to sell consoles.
- Japan Studio’s smaller-scale output no longer fit that strategy.
- The studio was reorganised in 2021.