Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has said it's to cancel multiple titles in development across its UK studios, which are responsible for the MotorStorm, WipEout and SingStar series, among others.

"It has been decided that production on a small number of projects within London Studio, Studio Liverpool, and Evolution Studios will be streamlined or closed due to a portfolio review and project prioritisation," the firm told GI.biz in a statement.

"This decision was made following an internal review of all games and it was deemed that with the incredibly strong list of exclusive first party titles coming up both this year and in the near future, resource should be reallocated to enhance those projects closer to completion."

Sony added: "The affected first party studios have been and will continue to be vital assets within the WWS family, and have a history of producing genre defining games such as MotorStorm, WipEout, SingStar and EyePet. This decision will have no impact on the role that our first party studios will play in the future of all PlayStation platforms."

Evolution's Motorstorm Apocalypse hits UK stores next Friday, and we were hugely impressed with the arcade racer. Read our Motorstorm Apocalypse review to get all our thoughts.

[ Source: GamesIndustry.biz ]

Makes one wonder what they were working on.

What have Studio Liverpool been working on since WipeOut HD was done? Psygnosis were one of the best developers in the Playstation 1 era.

That said, looking at SCEE jobs, they are looking for localisation testers at the moment.

More problems in the UK games industry. We have some of the best developers in the world and the UK gaming industry is far bigger then either of our film or music industries both in import and exports yet our government cuts fundings and incentives to help companies and development studios go out of business.

Ms doesnt seem to be cutting UK staff... if anything they are creating more

NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO hopefully Wipeout lives on but still :(

there are rumors about a "certain" move title, that had been far in development

...and i haven't heard anything about Sorcery in a while

well we are getting a new Wipeout for NGP...so it should be fine

w00t!!!

Yeah, Sony Liverpool was working on Wipeout NGP, but there have been rumors they've been working on a third preson action game for PS3 for years now.

I really hope they aren't canceling games just because they have too many in the pipeline.  Yeah, this year is absolutely stacked, but 2012 is looking like it could be another 2010. There's always room for more projects, no? Just delay some or push others to PS4.

I feel like Sony's UK devs keep getting the shaft this gen, save Media Molecule and kinda Evolution.

New Ip's this late in the game from studios that aren't at Sony's top tier (ie. ND, GG, MM or SSM) is perhaps considered a bit of a risk. Also adding more polish and backing to their current games along with DLC isn't a bad idea in my opinion, they can have too many games, but if the quailty isn't high enough, what's the point.

I think 2012 will still be a strong year, I think we'll see some new things at E3 and possibly a title or two may see a delay. Also Agent and a new title from Sony Santa Monica is on the cards.

As for the UK devs getting the shaft, I agree 100%. I can't imagine it creates strong morale amongst the developer teams over there, when projects are put on hold/canned and they're given essentailly side work for bigger projects for years.

its funny how everyone forgot about the Getaway in a matter of months