If, as current rumours are suggesting, Sony are aiming for next Christmas for the PlayStation 4 (with a mid 2013 reveal) then it’s likely that their mainline first party studios are working hard on a series of launch (window) titles.
That would include Guerrilla, Sucker Punch, Polyphony and Evolution, among others.
So, let’s speculate on what those teams might be working on…
Killzone 4 – Guerrilla Games
Back in late 2011, Edge magazine pointed to the next installment of the Killzone series, citing Guerrilla’s Steven Ter Heide as the game’s director.
A previous statement from the same magazine also highlighted that “one major Sony-owned studio has now ceased PlayStation 3 development, its entire focus having shifted to the console’s successor” – it’s not guaranteed that this was Guerrilla, but seeing as how this was last November, there’s a fair change that the Dutch studio is indeed working hard on Killzone 4. [1]
Guerrilla’s last release was Killzone 3, back in early 2011. That would leave them with well over two years development time for the next game in the series, closer to two and a half should the PS4 end up launching in late 2013.
Elsewhere, Guerrilla are working on Killzone Mercenary for the PlayStation Vita, but it’s assumed that it’s mainly the guys at Cambridge Studio here in the UK that are handling duties on that – a series of job advertisements would at least partly confirm my suspicions there. [2]
cc_star
Steambox
BrendanCalls
That’s an really good line-up and suggests Sony are really going for it, and learnt from past mistakes. If I remember rightly, there were a lot of issues with PS3 early on, with developers regarding it as being difficult to code for. This line-up suggest that hurdle may have been overcome and the big gun’s are right on board.
I’d be interested to see where this leaves the big annual release games too, are Infinity Ward coding for PS4 and new Xbox or are they coding on PS3/360 and porting to next gen if possible, same for EA Sports games?
I’d imagine they will be concentrating on current gen, well because that’s where the bulk of the install base will be at least for next 2 years, but could they lose footing if they don’t attack next gen as early as they can.
It’ll be an interesting time for sure
Bodachi
This is far better then the regular article from the big sites about company x has company y’s development kit for the next console.
tactical20
Anything with ‘4’ in the title would help with semi-subliminal brand building. Although saying that, it’s not gonna be called the PS4 is it? Superstitious/mental Japanese or something?!
Kennykazey
Praystaishon Fouh!
Problem solved.
OnlineAssassin77
Or maybe playstation PHOARRRR
Origami Killer
Would like to see Motorstorm and Killzone the most out them, return to monument valley
cc_star
I’d kill for an updated, new Motorstorm, one that didn’t take 18 hours to load and 17mins just to display your vehicle in the selection screen.
Loved Motorstorm to death, the sequels haven’t stuck with me for some reason, but a return to Monument Valley would be ace. No it would be better than ace!
Origami Killer
haha! I’d forgotten about the long loading times :P I did enjoy Pacific Rift, didn’t really like Apocalypse or RC, Monument Valley was always my favorite, best setting best tracks
Michael
Oh yes. Motorstorm was the first game I reviewed for TSA, I think. Maybe I should be allowed to review it for the PS4? ;-)
Bilbo_bobbins
So the momentum of rumours and thoughts carries on. I hope all this is actually true and the PS4 is out next year. All those games on launch or close to launch would be immense.
KeRaSh
I actually hope most of the teams mentioned here move on to new IPs.
I really liked Uncharted but seeing The Last of Us makes me wonder what else they could come up with.
As for Killzone, I’m not really a fan of the franchise so I’d welcome a new project that might actually interest me.
MICKY17
Even if just one of those games was available on launch day, then it would likely be a successful launch. As good as those sequels will be I really hope there are some new IP too.
jimmy-google
There hasn’t been a home console version of Jak and Daxter for a while and I’d be surprised if Insomniac didn’t pump out yet another Ratchet and Clank game. Q-Force is clearly just something to plug the gap this year.
I’d expect something Move related too. Sports Champions 2 is out and Zindagi Games have release a Move game a year. They’re also hiring at the moment. I wonder what the team who worked on Sorcery are doing now as well.
There’s also the question of what happened to Agent, did that switch platforms to the PS4?
What now for Superbot? They can’t only be working on PSASBR DLC.
There could also be some resurrected IP as well. Some games like 8 Days and the getaway were put on hold rather than outright cancelled. That may have been partly down to the hardware. Heavenly Sword could see a sequel or even Syphon Filter.
Moshbag
As much as I like these big franchises, I don’t think any of them have the legs to be new and exciting games on the PS4, I wish the flagship developers threw themselves into new IPs. I’d take another Motorstorm, more akin to Pacific Rift than the direction Apocalypse took it, and also a new, full fat retail Wipeout, but otherwise I say it’s time to move on.
jimmy-google
I’d be surprised if there was a WipEout at launch, certainly not a full retail release. With Studio Liverpool shut down and disappointing sales its not the flagship game it once was.
It needs a real refresh too. It doesn’t really feel its changed since the original.
Moshbag
I agree, the chances are slim, and it needs a refresh, but it would be a shame to see the franchise slip away, or become a pared down throwaway title.