London Studio was founded in 2002, when SCE Studio Camden (formerly Psygnosis) and Team Soho merged. Their portfolio includes traditional IP such as PS2's GTA-like The Getaway series. However, most LS games took advantage of the various peripherals each PlayStation had.
LS's most successful IP was Singstar, which sold 20 million+ across PS2-PS4. It used a USB mic, but LS also utilized more unique peripherals. For PS2, it was the camera-based EyeToy. For PS3, it was the AR Wonderbook. For PS4, it was PSVR's Blood and Truth. All were commercially and/or critically successful. PS3's PlayStation Home was also one of the first metaverses - launching 10+ years before it was even a term.
Their final game was 2019's Erica, which used PS4's PlayLink to add smartphone compatibility, but was only tepidly received. Considering the upcoming PS5 and Sony's live-service push, it's no surprise LS pivoted there too - especially as it was still consistent with their DNA, as live-service was new to them. Unfortunately, the title would not only be cancelled, but also caused LS's closure in 2024.
Project Camden was an online co-op combat game set in a modern fantasy London, used the Soho engine LS built for PS5, and had the longest development time in LS history. Sony's 2020-23 live-service push also meant Camden was easily greenlit, yet there's major risk following trends with how long game development now is.
By 2024, there was a worse economy, less playtime post-lockdown, and a hatred for live-services among PS5's hardcore base. LS was also in an expensive city, in a genre they had no experience in. So when Sony cut costs, LS was logically chosen for closure over others.
LS's closure is a particular shame as they had a path for great success. In 2005, LS revealed 2 traditional AAA PS3 titles - The Getaway and Eight Days - with excellently received trailers. But Sony cancelled both to reallocate money to others. Had these blockbusters reached their potential and launched to a starving 06-09 PS3 hardcore audience, history would be very different.
London Studio now lives on through Twisted Works - a new developer composed of many former LS staff. In Dec 2025, they revealed Cast Outs, which is basically what Camden was. An early access beta is scheduled for PS5/PC in early 2027, so it'll be about a year before it can be determined if Sony made the right choice in closing LS.
