TIGA,
the trade association representing the UK games industry, expressed sympathy
for those staff suffering from redundancies following Sony’s announcement
regarding its Liverpool Studio, but expressed hope that new studios would
emerge in the area.
Sony
Liverpool has closed the WWSE Team Liverpool part of its campus despite having
produced some of gaming's most iconic games over the past 30 years. Having
started out as Psygnosis, the group published WipEout and Lemmings among many
other gems but Sony says it will be focusing investment elsewhere.
TIGA
is hoping that the fresh investment in its other studios will lead to the
creation of jobs. It follows the closure
of the Bizarre Creations studio in Speke, Liverpool in 2011. That closure,
however, led to the formation of indie developers and TIGA hopes that a range
of smaller developers will emerge.
A statement by Sony Liverpool read:
“As part of SCE
Worldwide Studios, we do regular reviews to ensure that the resources we have
can create and produce high quality, innovative and commercially viable
projects in an increasingly competitive market place. As part of this process,
we have reviewed and assessed all current and planned projects for the short
and medium term and have decided to make some changes to our European Studios.
“It has been decided
that Liverpool Studio should be closed. Liverpool Studio has been an important
part of SCE Worldwide Studios since the outset of PlayStation, and have
contributed greatly to PlayStation over the years. Everyone connected with
Liverpool Studio, past and present, can be very proud of their achievements.
“However, it was felt
that by focusing our investment plans on other Studios that are currently
working on exciting new projects, we would be in a stronger position to offer
the best possible content for our consumers.
“Our Liverpool
Facility will continue to operate, housing a number of other vital WWS!E and
SCEE Departments.
“This should not take
anything away from the great work WWS are doing and the incredible games and
services that we have made, and continue to make, both for this coming year and
further in the future.”
Dr Richard Wilson, CEO of TIGA, said:
“Our thoughts are with those who are losing
their jobs and we wish them all the very best. We should try to remain
positive. Sony remains a critical player
in the UK video games industry. Additionally, when Bizarre Creations closed,
smaller studios emerged. Developers are the bedrock of the videogame industry
and we have to seize the new opportunities that are emerging in the games
industry. Platforms such as the App Store and Google Play allow small
development teams to tap into the growing mobile market, for instance. Looking
ahead, TIGA will work to help the new start-up firms that emerge in Liverpool.”
NOTES
FOR EDITORS
About TIGA
TIGA is the trade association representing the UK’s
games industry. The majority of our members are either independent games
developers or in-house publisher owned developers. We also have games
publishers, outsourcing companies, technology businesses and universities
amongst our membership. TIGA won 10 business awards and was nominated a
finalist for 9 other awards during 2010 and 2011. In 2010 TIGA won two
business awards including ‘Trade Association of the Year’ from the Trade
Association Forum. In 2011, TIGA won
eight business awards including ‘Trade Association of the Year’ from the Trade
Association Forum, ‘Outstanding Organisation’ from the Chartered Management
Institute and two Global Business Excellence Awards, including ‘Outstanding
Marketing Campaign’. Richard Wilson won the ‘Leadership Award’ from the
Trade Association Forum and the ‘Outstanding Leader’ award from the Chartered
Management Institute.
TIGA is an Investors in People organisation. TIGA's
vision is to make the UK the best place in the world to do games
business. We focus on three sets of activities: political representation,
generating media coverage and developing services that enhance the
competitiveness of our members. This means that TIGA members are
effectively represented in the corridors of power, their voice is heard in the
media and they receive benefits that make a material difference to their
businesses, including a reduction in costs and improved commercial
opportunities.
For further information, please contact Dr Richard
Wilson, TIGA CEO on: 07875 939 643, or email richard.wilson@tiga.org.