London Studio was a British video game developer based in London. Founded in 2002, it was a first-party studio for PlayStation Studios. The studio was best known for developing the SingStar series, as well as games for PlayStation's external peripherals including the EyeToy camera and the PlayStation VR virtual reality headset. The studio created more than 60 titles since it was established.[1]

Quick Facts Company type, Industry ...
London Studio
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
PredecessorTeam Soho
Founded2002; 22 years ago (2002)
Defunct21 May 2024 (2024-05-21)
FateClosed
Headquarters
London
,
England
Key people
  • Stuart Whyte
  • Tara Saunders
Products
ParentPlayStation Studios
Websiteplaystationlondonstudio.com
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History

SingStar and EyeToy

London Studio was established in 2002 following the merger of Psygnosis's Camden studio and Team Soho, the developer behind The Getaway.[2] As London Studio, the studio developed the SingStar series, which became extremely popular and helped broaden the appeal of the PlayStation 2 beyond the typical demographics of young male gamers. The series sold more than 20 million copies within 6 years.[3] It also created a lot of games for Sony's EyeToy webcam, and assisted the development of other Sony titles, such as Killzone 2 and LittleBigPlanet.[4] The studio was working on two AAA exclusives for the PlayStation 3 including Eight Days and the sequel to The Getaway, but both were cancelled by Sony Europe as Sony wanted to reallocate resources to other first-party games.[5]

Virtual reality

London Studio developed a virtual reality (VR) rendering technology, called LSSDK, which supports PlayStation 4 and PC. This engine was first used in PlayStation VR Worlds, which contained five virtual reality experiences: "The London Heist", "Into The Deep", "VR Luge", "Danger Ball" and "Scavenger's Odyssey".[6] While VR Worlds received mixed reviews, "London Heist" was critically acclaimed, and the game was commercially successful. Developing titles for the virtual reality headset became the company's main focus.[7] The studio's next game was Blood & Truth, which serves as the successor to the London Heist level. It became the first VR title to reach number 1 on the UK's retail sales chart when it was released in May 2019.[8]

In 2022, the studio was working on a cooperative multiplayer game for the PlayStation 5. Set in a modern fantasy London, it was described by studio head Tara Saunders as the company's "most ambitious project to-date". Players wouldn't need to use a virtual reality headset to play this game.[9]

Closure

In February 2024, Sony announced that it was proposing the closure of the studio as part of wider layoffs that includes 8% of the company's workforce, or 900 employees.[10] The studio closed in May 2024.[11]

Games developed

More information Game, Year ...
GameYearPlatform(s)
This is Football 20032002PlayStation 2
Hardware: Online Arena
This is Football 20042003
EyeToy: Play
This is Football 20052004
EyeToy: Groove
SingStar
The Getaway: Black Monday
SingStar Party
EyeToy: Chat2005
World Tour Soccer: Challenge EditionPlayStation Portable
Fired Up
SingStar PopPlayStation 2
EyeToy: Play 2
EyeToy: Play 3
SingStar '80s
EyeToy: Kinetic
EyeToy: Operation Spy
EyeToy: Kinetic Combat2006
EyeToy: Play Sports
SingStar Rocks!
SingStar Anthems
Gangs of LondonPlayStation Portable
SingStar LegendsPlayStation 2
World Tour Soccer 2PlayStation Portable
SingStar Pop Hits2007PlayStation 2
SingStar 90s
SingStar Amped
SingStar Rock Ballads
Aqua VitaPlayStation 3
SingStar R&BPlayStation 2
BeatsPlayStation Portable
SingStarPlayStation 3
SingStar Summer Party2008PlayStation 2
SingStar Vol. 2PlayStation 3
SingStar ABBAPlayStation 2, PlayStation 3
SingStar Vol. 3PlayStation 3
PlayStation Home
SingStar Queen2009PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3
SingStar Pop EditionPlayStation 3
SingStar MotownPlayStation 2, PlayStation 3
EyePetPlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable
SingStar Take ThatPlayStation 2, PlayStation 3
SingStar Guitar2010PlayStation 3
SingStar Dance
DanceStar Party2011
EyePet & Friends
DanceStar Party Hits2012
Wonderbook
SingStar: Ultimate Party[12]2014PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4
PlayStation VR Worlds2016PlayStation VR
SingStar Celebration2017PlayStation 4
Blood & Truth2019PlayStation VR
Erica PlayStation 4
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References

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