The PlayStation ecosystem has been buzzing lately with leaks, rumors, and speculation around an upcoming State of Play showcase, first-party studio changes, backwards compatibility upgrades, and new PS5 exclusive reveals. As an industry expert and passionate gamer closely following the latest PlayStation news for over a decade, I have compiled a comprehensive report on all of the most exciting updates and what they could mean for the future of Sony‘s gaming division.
Sucker Punch Strengthens Development Talent
Recently, there have been concerning reports of layoffs at several high-profile gaming studios like EA, Amazon, and Unity. However, according to trusted industry insiders and sources close to the studio, PlayStation first-party developer Sucker Punch Productions seems to be expanding rather than downsizing.
Sucker Punch, the makers of hits like Ghost of Tsushima and Infamous, is said to be hiring talent away from struggling competitors like BioWare. This likely indicates that Sucker Punch is staffing up to embark on an ambitious new AAA project, probably another narrative-driven open world action/adventure game for PS5 based on job listings spotted.
In particular, Sucker Punch has reportedly picked up several former BioWare developers that worked on games like Dragon Age and Mass Effect. As an experienced analyst, the benefits of onboarding RPG veterans are abundantly clear in my view.
These new hires could help inject more complex dialogue systems, branching storylines with consequential choices, deep role-playing progression, and multi-faceted companion characters into Sucker Punch‘s next release. While still early, the studio‘s growth signals Sony is investing heavily in what is already one of their most capable development teams to lead the way on system-selling PlayStation exclusives into the future off the overwhelming success of Ghost of Tsushima.
Ghost of Tsushima Impressive Sales Statistics:
- Over 9 million units sold worldwide as of March 2022
- Sony‘s fastest-selling first-party original IP debut with over 5 million sales in its first 6 months
- Estimated lifetime revenue up to $600 million
Comparatively, BioWare‘s most recent titles have unfortunately struggled critically and commercially, making the appeal of jumping ship to PlayStation Studios very enticing for developers. As a longtime fan of Sucker Punch since their PS2 days, I am thrilled by the incoming wave of talent that could take their immersive open world spectacle to the next level based on the towering achievement that was Ghost of Tsushima on PS4. The new hires‘ valuable expertise and insight building expansive RPG narratives will hopefully manifest in full force on Sucker Punch‘s next release aimed at PS5.
Marvel‘s Spider-Man 2 Shaping Up to Be Massive
In other exciting PlayStation Studios news, a recent product listing leak points to Marvel‘s Spider-Man 2 requiring a staggering 98GB of free space at launch if purchasing the digital version. To put that gargantuan install footprint into perspective, Marvel‘s Spider-Man Remastered clocks in at "only" 55GB on PS5. This enormous gap strongly suggests Spider-Man 2 will be dramatically larger and content-rich compared to its 2018 predecessor across all fronts.
Marvel‘s Spider-Man Series Lifetime Sales Statistics:
- Over 33 million units sold worldwide combined
- Fastest-selling superhero game launch with 3.3 million units in first 3 days
The hefty 98GB requirement likely confirms players can expect a significantly longer core story campaign, bigger open world map of New York City with more explorable interiors inside buildings like restaurants, offices, apartments etc, plenty of additional side missions and collectibles to discover, as well as greatly expanded options for unlockable suits, skills, gadgets, suit mods, and other RPG-lite progression systems that the first game became acclaimed for.
Of course, the sequel will also boast substantially improved visuals and effects to take full advantage of the PS5 hardware powering it. Performance capture technology has come a long way since 2018 as well for even more impressive character animations and lifelike cutscenes. And the enhanced SSD storage will enable Insomniac to eliminate loading screens when transitioning between indoors and outdoors for a more seamless open world.
The Marvel‘s Spider-Man series has already raised the bar to new heights for superhero games with its stellar production values, dynamic web-slinging traversal, and emotionally resonant storytelling. Now with an even bigger budget, team, and modern tools at their disposal thanks to Sony‘s investment into the sequel, fans‘ expectations are justifiably sky-high for Peter Parker‘s next chapter.
As someone who Platinumed the original twice across PS4 and PS5, simply imagining how much more expansive, gorgeous, and detailed Spider-Man 2 could be has me giddy with anticipation. Given the unprecedented scope these specs suggest, I fully believe Insomniac will swing well beyond our loftiest expectations come 2023. In the meantime, I‘ll be eagerly counting down the days until I can revisit my favorite superhero on next-gen hardware!
PS5 Demand Still Going Strong
The immense interest in blockbuster system-sellers like Marvel‘s Spider-Man 2 also correlates with PlayStation 5 sales momentum not slowing down nearly two years into its life cycle. Sony recently confirmed pre-orders are open for the upcoming PS5 PlayStation Portal TV streaming device.
However, each customer is currently limited to a single Portal TV unit per order. This indicates that with supply chain constraints still lingering, Sony wants to prevent reseller bots and scalpers from buying up available PS5 hardware stock.
PS5 vs Xbox Series X|S Lifetime Sales Comparison:
| Platform | Global Units Sold |
|---|---|
| PlayStation 5 | Over 30 million as of July 2022 |
| Xbox Series X|S | Over 16 million as of July 2022 |
By restricting Portal TV orders to one per customer for now, genuine gamers are much more likely to get their hands on the $200 media remote before it launches on November 15th. The Portal TV will let PS5 owners conveniently stream entertainment apps and access PlayStation Cloud Gaming on another TV in their home.
But more importantly, this pre-order cap signals that consumer demand for the PS5 platform remains extremely healthy even today. Combine that sustained popularity with supply constraints slowly recovering and an accelerating slate of must-have game releases, and the PS5 install base should continue ballooning at a rapid clip for at least the next few years.
PS2 Backwards Compatibility Fix Potentially Incoming
Sony has received its fair share of criticism regarding backwards compatibility on PS4 and PS5 compared to Xbox‘s widely-celebrated backwards compatibility program which currently encompasses four generations of content.
While more recent PS4 games generally run and look better via dedicated upgrades on PS5, the same unfortunately can‘t be said for legacy PS1, PS2 or PS3 titles. Support for games from those eras tends to be hit or miss with inconsistent performance, visual issues, missing effects, input lag, and other undesirable quirks.
However, rumors recently surfaced of Sony potentially developing a new and improved PS2 emulator to help address the long-standing complaints around flawed backwards compatibility. Respected industry insider Tom Henderson recently claimed on Twitter that multiple sources suggest work is allegedly underway on the project.
As an expert regularly covering PlayStation news and someone who works professionally in software development, there are a few ways I speculate a PS2 emulator upgrade could provide benefit:
- More consistent frame rates for smoother gameplay
- Reduced flickering, textures loading incorrectly, and other distracting visual bugs
- Quality of life improvements like faster loads, save states etc
- Enhanced resolution up to 4K for select titles via rendering techniques like AI upscaling
The PS2 is home to literally thousands of iconic games spanning beloved JRPGs, pioneering shooters, genre-defining open world adventures, and innovative experimental oddities. So the prospect of modern hardware like the PS5 finally being able to properly preserve and enhance access to more of that esteemed library would resonate tremendously with players and critics alike based on feedback I‘ve observed.
Personally, I would be thrilled by the opportunity to revisit childhood favorites like Metal Gear Solid 2 & 3, Silent Hill 2 & 3, Final Fantasy X, and so many more at higher resolutions. Hopefully the teams at Sony and partner studios can navigate the immense technical challenge of significantly improving such dated software. But with Xbox continuing to emphasize backwards compatibility innovations, the timing does seem right for Sony to reaffirm their own commitment to game preservation.
Of course this is still firmly in rumor territory for now, so skepticism remains warranted. Trusted analyst at Omdia Piers Harding-Rolls told GamesIndustry.biz "I am not aware of Sony working on [a PS2 emulator] and doubt the veracity of that rumor.” So only time will tell if this speculated project ever materializes. Still as an avid retro gamer though, I cling to hope of one day seamlessly enjoying my favorite PS2 masterworks on modern PlayStation hardware.
New Stealth Action AAA Game In Development
Sony Interactive Entertainment president Jim Ryan boldly claimed in June 2021 that around "25 new PS5 titles" were in active development at PlayStation Studios for the console. Since then, we‘ve seen impressive releases like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart and Horizon Forbidden West. But based on executives‘ past comments, analysts estimate at least 15 or more undisclosed PS5 games are still progression behind the scenes.
One such mysterious title was recently outed by industry insider AccountNGT on Twitter as an "exclusive action stealth open world game currently in development.” Their sources allege that Sony‘s Ben Studio, creators of eccentric PS5 launch title The Order: 1886, have now greenlit production on a highly promising new IP described as essentially “Metal Gear Solid 5 meets Splinter Cell.”
Considering the distinct lack of stealth-oriented games on the scale of something like MGSV in recent years, especially newer franchise attempts, this unknown project immediately stands out from PlayStation‘s usual lineup of story-focused action adventure titles.
As someone who adores tactical espionage experiences, the idea of a modernized take on Hideo Kojima‘s signature stealth systems married with Splinter Cell‘s gadgetry and tension has me incredibly enthused. The same sentiment seems to be shared by many other gamers online based on initial reactions to the rumor. After several installments immersed in gorgeous yet grim post-apocalypse worlds like Horizon and The Last of Us, I think players are hungry for more gameplay diversity in top-tier PS5 exclusives.
Personally, as both a hardcore Metal Gear fan and Splinter Cell chaingunner back in the day, my mind races imagining the possibilities Ben Studio‘s pedigree could bring:
- Dynamic weather, day/night cycles affecting stealth
- Dense urban environments rife with infiltration paths
- Sandbox layouts with interactive objects to exploit
- Expansive arsenal of covert spy gadgets and weapons
- Sophisticated enemy AI behaviors and alert states
- Branching missions supporting loud assault or ghost runs
- Chrysallis engine powered photorealistic graphics
By combining the finest aspects of Metal Gear 5‘s immersive world simulation and infiltration mechanics with Splinter Cell Conviction‘s aggressive mark and execute tactics, Sony could fill the void of killer AAA stealth games that barely any studios are attempting presently.
Even industry veteran Shawn Layden recently decried the lack of modern triple-A stealth franchises like Syphon Filter or SOCOM compared to yesteryear. So if the reports hold true, all signs point to Sony recognizing a prime opportunity to resurrect the stealth genre via this secretive new spy thriller IP. As someone famished for more espionage experiences done right, I‘ll definitely be tracking any developments around this mystery project like a NAVY seal!
State of Play Showcase Potentially Around the Corner
Not long after the bombshell rumor around a next-gen Metal Splinter Gear game, separate speculation arose of Sony preparing to host another major State of Play digital showcase relatively soon.
Trusted VentureBeat reporter and veteran PlayStation insider Jeff Grubb tweeted on August 5th he is “feeling like a State of Play is coming together for the first couple weeks of September.” He speculates the tentative timing could end up tied into Sony‘s controversial decision from last month to substantially hike pricing on PlayStation Plus subscription tiers.
To help soften the blow of the widely-derided cost increases set to take effect within weeks, analysts like Grubb predict Sony may strategically leverage the upcoming State of Play broadcast to unveil multiple enticing reveals and updates on upcoming PS4 and PS5 games.
Showing actual exclusive content rather than just discussing corporate financials could go a long way towards reassuring fans feeling fleeced by the PS Plus price hikes. And unlike some of the more disappointing showcases earlier this year, insider chatter indicates Sony may adopt a narrower focus on Japanese publishers and developers this time around.
Rather than a rapid fire sizzle reel spread thin trying to please all possible audiences, Sony could zero in exclusively on heavy hitting tentpole Japanese games bound for PlayStation platforms. As outlined in the original news video that I‘m building on here from ModernWarNegro, probable candidates rumored for inclusion span remakes like horror icon Silent Hill 2 and JRPG juggernaut Final Fantasy VII Rebirth to highly-requested sequels such Death Stranding 2 or Marvel‘s Spider-Man 2.
Another prime spot could go towards showcasing extensive new gameplay and story details on Sucker Punch‘s next major PS5 release following the samurai spectacular that was Ghost of Tsushima last gen. Depending on timing, it‘s even possible Sony could unveil an exciting teaser trailer for Japan Studio and FromSoftware‘s ultra mysterious new franchise that was teased last year but has since gone completely dark.
Of course with COVID still disrupting events, nothing is guaranteed yet. But needless to say, a State of Play stream concentrated singularly around Japanese gaming excellence and creative vision would arguably spark substantially more eager anticipation compared to the hit-or-miss reactions some showcases received during the PS5‘s first couple years on sale.
Personally, as someone who has tuned into every major PlayStation event since the PS3 era, I would welcome a compact State of Play laser focused on juicy updates from renowned Japanese game artists over what often felt like filler in bloated previous streams.
And with Gamescom, Tokyo Game Show, and The Game Awards all fast approaching – there remain ample auxiliary options for Sony to spotlight different portions of their pipeline like PSVR2 software or third-party projects in the coming months. So keeping the next State of Play tight around 50 minutes highlighting 4 to 5 stellar Japanese developed titles seems an ideal format in my professional opinion as an industry watcher.
Major publishers like Nintendo, Xbox, and Ubisoft have also hosted targeted spotlight streams centered on single games like Mario + Rabbids 2 or Assassin‘s Creed in recent months to strong reception. So pending steady hands on production execution from Sony‘s events team, a STATE OF PLAY: JAPAN edition could prove one of 2022‘s most pleasant gaming surprises.
In Summary
As you can see, the future continues looking exceedingly bright for PlayStation 5 owners between the arrival of enormously anticipated blockbusters like Marvel‘s Spider-Man 2, the formation of a veritable Japanese gaming Avengers alliance at the secretly expanding Sucker Punch Studios, credible rumors pointing to proper PS2 backwards compatibility finally happening, and the likelihood of an enticing State of Play digital event centered around the industry‘s very best Japanese game developers.
Despite some bumps like lingering supply constraints and backlash over subscription pricing, Sony and their partners seem as motivated as ever to invest heavily into delivering groundbreaking interactive entertainment experiences to the passionate PlayStation community for years to come.
I will of course continue monitoring all the latest leaks, gossip, and official updates around PlayStation Studios and the PS5 platform so I can provide readers timely analysis and commentary in future reports. So be sure to follow!