It's time to dive into the world of PlayStation Studios and explore the exciting (and sometimes worrying) developments happening behind the scenes. With the year 2026 already halfway through, we're taking stock of the first-party games in the pipeline and the studios bringing them to life. But first, let's address the elephant in the room: the end of physical discs. Sony's decision to halt disc production from January 2028 has left many wondering about the future of physical editions for upcoming games. A bold move, to say the least, and one that raises questions about the accessibility and collectability of these titles.
Now, let's turn our attention to the studios themselves. It's a bit of a mixed bag, with some surprising closures and new ventures. Bluepoint Games, the talented team behind the Demon's Souls and Shadow of the Colossus remakes, has reportedly shut its doors, leaving a void in the PlayStation ecosystem. Similarly, Dark Outlaw Games, formed by Call of Duty veteran Jason Blundell, seems to have met an early end. These closures are a stark reminder of the challenges and uncertainties facing the industry.
But enough about the doom and gloom. Let's focus on the studios that are still going strong and the games they're cooking up.
Naughty Dog: Intergalactic Ambitions
Naughty Dog, the studio behind the beloved Uncharted and The Last of Us franchises, is currently hard at work on Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. This space-faring adventure with an '80s twist is shaping up to be something special. With Tati Gabrielle leading the way as Jordan A. Mun, a bounty hunter stranded on an alien planet, the game promises an engaging narrative and a deeper combat system than we've seen from Naughty Dog before. The involvement of Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross in composing the music is an exciting addition, adding to the game's already impressive pedigree.
But here's the million-dollar question: Will Intergalactic be a PS5 exclusive, or is Naughty Dog skipping a console generation? Only time will tell, but with a lack of gameplay footage so far, it's a concern for many fans.
And that's not all. Studio head Neil Druckmann has teased that they're working on a second, unannounced game. Could it be The Last of Us Part 3? Or perhaps Uncharted 5? Only Naughty Dog knows for sure, but it's an exciting prospect nonetheless.
Santa Monica Studio: Expanding the God of War Universe
Santa Monica Studio, the creators of the God of War franchise, are not resting on their laurels. God of War Laufey, the next installment in the series, promises to take us beyond the nine realms and into the afterlife. With Kratos' wife, Faye, taking center stage, the game looks set to explore new mythologies and expand the God of War universe in exciting ways. The combat, they promise, will blend the heavy-hitting action of recent entries with the agility of the original Greek games. While we don't have a release date yet, the studio's track record suggests it won't be too long before we get our hands on this highly anticipated title.
Insomniac Games: Wolverine's Turn
Insomniac Games, the masters of the Spider-Man and Ratchet & Clank franchises, are set to release Marvel's Wolverine on September 15, 2026. This ultraviolent adventure looks to be a departure from their open-world Spidey games, focusing on a more linear experience. It's been a while since Insomniac's last release, but with their track record of delivering high-quality games, Wolverine is sure to be worth the wait.
Sucker Punch Productions: Ghostly Tales
Sucker Punch, the studio behind the critically acclaimed Ghost of Tsushima, released Ghost of Yotei in October 2025. Atsu's story was well-received, showcasing the power of the PS5. The studio has also developed Legends, the co-op multiplayer component of the Ghost series. While we might not see much from Sucker Punch soon, given their recent output, the rumors of an Infamous remake/remaster refuse to die down.
Guerrilla Games: Horizon's Future
Guerrilla Games, the developers of the Horizon series, followed up Horizon: Forbidden West with the Burning Shores DLC in 2023. With the sequel ending on a cliffhanger, it's highly likely that the studio is working on the third part of the trilogy. The development time between Zero Dawn and Forbidden West was five years, so we might be hearing about the next chapter soon. Before that, though, we'll get our hands on Horizon: Hunters Gathering, a tactical three-player cooperative action game set in the post-apocalyptic world of Horizon.
Housemarque: Looper Shooters
Housemarque, the studio behind the highly acclaimed Returnal, released Saros in April. If Returnal is any indication, we can expect post-launch support and new features for Saros in the coming months. However, with reports suggesting that Saros might not be coming to PC, it seems Sony is reverting to its console-only exclusive approach. Despite a lukewarm start in sales, we'll have to wait and see how Saros performs throughout the year.
Haven Studios: Fairgames' Fate
Haven Studios, another of Sony's live-service offerings, is currently working on Fairgames, a multiplayer shooter originally due for release in 2025. The project has faced some challenges, with industry veteran Jade Raymond leaving the studio last year. Rumors of a potential rebrand after Sony patented the title "Break In" have added to the mystery surrounding this game.
Bend Studio: Days Gone, But Not Forgotten
Bend Studio, the creators of Days Gone, have been relatively quiet since the release of the remaster last year. However, they did reveal a few details about their next project in 2022, stating that it will build upon the open-world systems of Days Gone. With reports of a live-service game being scrapped and layoffs impacting 30% of the team, it's unclear whether the studio is starting from scratch or continuing with the previously announced project.
Media Molecule: Dreams and Beyond
Media Molecule, the studio behind Dreams, has faced significant layoffs in recent years. As a result, live support for Dreams has ended, and the studio is now focused on ensuring it becomes a self-sustaining platform. While we don't know what their next project will be, it's safe to assume it will be a creative and innovative endeavor, true to Media Molecule's nature.
Team Asobi: Astro's Next Adventure
Team Asobi, the developers of the critically acclaimed Astro Bot, have been supporting the game with regular updates and new levels. Given the success of Astro Bot, it's highly likely that we'll see another Astro game in the future. With a wealth of obscure PlayStation characters to draw from, Team Asobi has a treasure trove of potential characters and worlds to explore.
Polyphony Digital: Gran Turismo's Legacy
Polyphony Digital, the studio behind the long-running Gran Turismo franchise, has been making racing games for over 25 years. With GT7 released a few years ago, we might be due for an announcement about the next installment soon.
San Diego Studio: MLB The Show's Reliability
San Diego Studio, the developers of MLB The Show, have a well-established track record. With this year's entry dropping in March, we can expect another installment next spring, as per their usual release schedule.
Firesprite: VR and Beyond
Firesprite, the studio behind Horizon: Call of the Mountain for PSVR 2, has shifted its focus to VR games. While a live-service Twisted Metal game they were working on has been canceled, the team is now developing Until Dawn 2, a sequel to the horror hit. Set on a tropical island, Until Dawn 2 aims to capture the magic of the original.
teamLFG: A New Action Game
teamLFG, a new studio spun out of Bungie, is working on a team-based action game inspired by fighting games, platformers, MOBAs, life sims, and "frog-type games." While the project is still in its early stages, it promises to offer a lighthearted and comedic world set in a brand-new, mythic, science-fantasy universe.
As we look ahead, the future of PlayStation Studios seems bright, with a diverse range of games and studios pushing the boundaries of gaming. While the lack of release dates for many of these titles is a cause for concern, it also leaves room for surprise announcements and unexpected delights.
So, what do you think? Are you excited about the future of PlayStation Studios? Which game are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments!
