Sony Cuts Ties With PlayStation All-Stars Creators, Studio’s Fate In Question

[claud3]

Jason Schreier

Sony has cut ties with PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale creator SuperBot Entertainment, just days after the development studio laid off a number of its staff.

All of the game's future content will be handled by Sony's internal studios.
"Sony Computer Entertainment can confirm that the working agreement with developer SuperBot Entertainment has amicably ended," a Sony representative told Kotaku. "We have had a positive working relationship with this talented studio, and wish them the best of success in their next

endeavor. PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale and the title's forthcoming DLC releases will continue to be fully supported by Santa Monica Studio."
SuperBot, an independent developer started in 2009, released PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royalefor Vita and PlayStation 3 last fall. Two weeks ago, the company laid off a significant number of staff.


We've heard from one source that as a result of Sony's decision, SuperBot will have to shut down. We've reached out to the studio for comment and will update should we hear back.

UPDATE: In an e-mail, SuperBot's director of operations David Yang responded to Kotaku's request for comment, saying that the company is "excited about beginning the next chapter of [their] future."
The full statement follows:

SuperBot Entertainment can confirm that the relationship with SCEA has ended on good terms. We are extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to work on with Sony on Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale, and are extremely proud of the work we have done. SuperBot Entertainment will continue working on

projects that reflect our passion for games and our commitment to creating award winning titles. We are very excited about beginning the next chapter of our future and invite all of our fans and supporters to follow our journey.

UPDATE 2: In response to a follow-up question about whether the studio will remain intact with all of its staff, Yang told Kotaku that there are no layoffs planned yet.

"We don't have a reduction plan as of yet, however it is unlikely we can continue with our current work force for an extended period of time," he said. "We are still working things out and hope to continue on with as many of us as possible.

http://kotaku.com/5981571/sony-cuts-...te-in-question

So bad news big time right here

[Nitey]

Welp, the game sold like a turd and this is fucking sad.

And if there are lay offs I hope they land on their feet.

[radgamer420]

I knew that game was going to flop. Too much of a niche title. The audience for that game just wasnt there.

[DeviousOne]

Even while the game was in production the general population wasn't interested.

Hope they can land on their feet and make more games

[Syphon_Filter]

The game isn't bad at all just fun to play. I don't no why people don't like it as its something different. But they will keep doing samething with COD shoot, shoot, run, glitch, and etc.

[Shingo]

All fighting games have less population lately. Don't know the reason tho, as a die hard KOF Fan, I play new and old titles time by time.

[Sylar]

Sony could always partner up with them again in the future

[$Greatness$]

The main thing is kids today didn't grow up with PaRappa the Rapper. Whereas they knew who Mario, the Pokemon and Link were. More identifiable to them and what not. That's more of a reason as to why the game failed is what I believe. And that style of game didn't even seem to fit on a Playstation Platform.

[Kuro]

Huh..shame all the best to em.

[Dave-The-Rave]

Such a terrible game, I always knew it was a mistake for them to make it.

[Sir_Scud]

The main thing is kids today didn't grow up with PaRappa the Rapper. Whereas they knew who Mario, the Pokemon and Link were. More identifiable to them and what not. That's more of a reason as to why the game failed is what I believe. And that style of game didn't even seem to fit on a Playstation Platform.

That's true, but at the same time if PaRappa wasn't in, there would be some like, "How did they miss out using PaRappa!" The biggest problem was a small roster for a fighting game. I understand they couldn't get them due to licensing, but a roster lacking some of the biggest Playstation names hurt it.

Not to mention a lot of people wrote it off immediately without really giving it a chance. Hell, even Sony doesn't seem like it had faith in them, or maybe we would've seen more from the game. It's a damn shame. I still stand by and think it's a good game to play, and still do play it today.

[RedOrb_Collector]

A very good game with a terrible roster and little marketing.

[Nitey]

I felt it was appropriately marketed.

I guess it just didn't appeal to a large audience which is unfortunate. The price dropped to £20-25 after the 2nd week I think

[coolguy]

sony is geting rid of the game makers that not not makeing good games

[itachi73378]

A very good game with a terrible roster and little marketing.

wait what?
I think they marketed the hell out of it. There were even TV ads

[DeviousOne]

The commercial was awesome I have to admit! I may of marked out a bit lmao

[Blacksite]

The concept of a brawler featuring your favorite and most iconic PlayStation characters isn't a bad one. But is there a legitimate reason for DmC's Dante, Metal Gear Rising's Raiden and BioShock's Big Daddy to be included, other than to try and sell other studios' upcoming titles?

And I don't know about the gameplay but I think most people will have more fun trying to knock the other guy off the stage in this type of game than simply building up enough power to unleash Super attacks. I think the irony here is that if the game played more like Super Smash Bros., it would have done better.

I would also mention that, from watching one or two let's play videos, the game's menu looks incredibly bland though it isn't game-breaking. They still could have made it look nice, in this day and age.

[ash91]

The game was poor. This is very unsurprising news. The roster was tiny and some of the characters were pointless. Parappa the Rapper? Seriously? That game is 17 years old!

[Blacksite]

Parappa the Rapper? Seriously? That game is 17 years old!

So? Super Smash Bros. Melee had Mr. Game & Watch. It's not a bad thing that Parappa is old, so long as PlayStation fans can recognize him.

[claud3]

It seems the current on course DLC has been cancelled... If true and it seems so, all is going to shit with this game and future DLC's

http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2013/02...dlc-cancelled/

[itachi73378]

Boy am I glad I bought Catherine rather than this last week
This game needs an overhaul in terms of presentation

[Sub-stance1]

The game isn't actually that bad. Just another victim of the over hyped exclusive curse.