Developer Firewalk Studios has been shut down by Sony Interactive Entertainment, according to a confidential email from CEO Herman Hulst. The failed shooter has officially been sidelined by injury, with no timeline for a potential return to the game, according to Hulst’s confirmation.
“After careful consideration, we have concluded that the best course forward is to discontinue the sport entirely and close the studio,” Hulst stated in an email to staff on Tuesday. “I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to the entire Firewalk team for their exceptional craftsmanship, creative passion, and unwavering commitment.”
After going dark in September, Sony Interactive Entertainment spent considerable time over the past few months thoroughly examining all available options for their shooter. “The first-person shooter’s competitive multiplayer aspect was an ambitious project that unfortunately fell short of expectations.” “We will build upon the insights gathered from [reference] to accelerate the rollout of our live-service features, enabling a smoother path for future developments in this area.”
The developer behind the popular mobile game X, previously announced its closure with a cryptic message stating it would be “signing off for the last time” on its social media platform.
“We boldly combined the best elements from card battlers, combat games, and first-person shooters, embracing innovation by introducing fresh concepts – not all of which were entirely successful. However, our commitment to exploring new ideas remains paramount in driving the gaming medium forward.” The expertise at Firewalk and the individual craftsmanship on display are truly world-class, making it a privilege for teams within Sony Interactive Entertainment – and beyond – to collaborate with this exceptional studio. Thanks to all the countless groups, companions, and followers who have consistently supported us throughout.
As part of a restructuring effort, Hulst, in collaboration with Firewalk Studios, has announced the closure of another Sony-owned studio, Neon Koi, effective immediately. Neon Koi, previously known as Savage Games and acquired by Sony in 2022, is developing a mobile action game for the PlayStation platform.
Was initially launched in late August for PlayStation 5 and Windows PC, before being temporarily removed from sale and taken offline in September. 6. When asked about their plans, Sport Director Ryan Ellis stated the studio was deliberating on “exploring options, including those that could better serve our players,” as they “weighed up” the best course ahead for the game.
garnered attention with lukewarm headlines due to its initially low player reliance on Steam at launch. According to reports from IGN, the initial performance of a first-party game developed by Sony was disappointing, with estimated opening-week sales of approximately 25,000 copies. As tensions mounted in the press and participation numbers dwindled, Sony and Firewalk were forced to abruptly terminate their venture. Experienced technical difficulties, going dark just 14 days post-launch. Customers who had invested in the sports initiative have received a full refund.
Prior to Tuesday’s revelation, the fate of ‘s future was shrouded in uncertainty, sparking speculation that the game might transition into a free-to-play model, potentially carrying a price tag of $39.99, or be repackaged as a bonus offering within Sony’s PlayStation Plus subscription.
Firewalk Studios was founded in 2018 as a key component of the ProbablyMonsters game development collective, established by Harold Ryan. Sony and ProbablyMonsters announced a publishing partnership to bring Firewalk’s inaugural sports title to market in 2021. In April 2023, Sony announced its intent to acquire Firewalk, a game studio founded by ProbablyMonsters.
