New information indicates Sony's secret (but not-so-secret) studio in San Diego is working on expanding existing PlayStation franchises. Details about the quiet San Diego team first cropped up early in 2018, thanks in large part to a job listing. At the time, it was only known that hiring had begun for a role that would work in close proximity to Sony's Visual Arts Service Group (VASG), a support team that specializes in animation and motion capture.
In the years since then, speculation, as well as other job listings, have led many to believe the "secret" team is developing another Uncharted entry. The relatively recent hiring of environment artist Zak Oliver, who's known for his work on Uncharted and The Last of Us Part II, lends even more credence to such a possibility. Now yet another details is adding fuel to the fire.
According the LinkedIn profile of Michael Mumbauer, Senior Director of Visual Arts at PlayStation, Sony has established "a brand new, all-star, AAA Action/Adventure development team." The "About" section of Mumbauer's profile, as spotted by Wccftech, notes the team is based in San Diego and utilizes "proprietary engine technology." Apparently, the Sony assembled this all-star crew of developers in an effort to "expand upon existing franchises and craft all new stories for the next generation of gamers."
Despite the ongoing rumors and speculation, Sony itself has yet to publicly acknowledge the San Diego studio's existence. Interestingly, PlayStation CEO and President Jim Ryan did note last year that the company's plan is to both develop Sony first-party teams organically and invest in more acquisitions as needed. The clandestine group in San Diego obviously counts among those that have been organically established, but when Ryan and company intend to lift the veil currently remains to be seen.
Sony may not feel the need to rush things, though. Its first-party stable of studios continues to impress with new releases and has quite the lineup of games planned for 2021. Insomniac is busy wrapping up Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. Guerrilla remains hard at work on Horizon: Forbidden West. Polyphony Digital and Santa Monica Studio continue to develop Gran Turismo 7 and the next God of War, respectively. And there's plenty to suggest that Sucker Punch is working on another Ghost of Tsushima project. Meanwhile, there's no telling what the likes of SIE Bend Studio and Naughty Dog have planned. Suffice it to say, Sony could probably afford to keep its so-called "secret" studio under wraps for a little while longer.
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