Firesprite, the UK-based developer behind virtual reality (VR) titles The Persistence VR and The Playroom VR has been acquired by PlayStation Studios, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) announced today.
No details pertaining to the purchase have been released but Firesprite has a long history with PlayStation. Some of the team used to be part of Sony Liverpool, the studio behind Wipeout that shuttered in 2012. Since then, Firesprite has grown considerably to more than 250 staff.
Firesprite’s biggest IP has to be The Persistence, originally a PlayStation VR exclusive set aboard a doomed spaceship. Featuring procedurally generated environments and an asymmetric multiplayer, the horror title then made it to more VR headsets alongside a flatscreen edition.
“We are delighted to welcome Firesprite into the PlayStation family,” said Jim Ryan, President & CEO, Sony Interactive Entertainment in a statement. “We have a rich history of working with the founders of Firesprite and are excited to grow the PlayStation presence in Liverpool. The portfolio of titles Firesprite has developed has continually demonstrated the team’s ability to transcend traditional gameplay experiences and brilliantly showcase the potential of our hardware.”
“At Firesprite, we’re always striving to bring something new to a game or genre and developing for new technologies is a driving force of our passion at Firesprite,” adds Graeme Ankers, Co-Founder and CEO, Firesprite. “Joining PlayStation Studios will allow us to amplify this passion, working more closely on cutting-edge hardware without any limitations and furthering our studio’s heritage of creativity and technical innovation to offer some truly unique experiences for PlayStation fans.”
As for what’s next now that Firesprite is part of PlayStation Studios the developer is staying tight-lipped. Currently, its careers page lists vacancies for a “narrative adventure” and an “action shooter”. Considering Firesprite’s expertise in VR, the acquisition could be gearing up for the launch of PlayStation VR 2 which is expected to happen in 2022. For continued updates, keep reading VRFocus.
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