This has always been one of the reasons I'm such a fan of Sony. I mean, I can't claim to know what goes on behind the scenes, but I always heard reports of developers LOVING that sony lets them do their thing, and it often results in some amazing stuff. Back when LittlebigPlanet came out, Media Molecule did a fantastic job thanks to Sony giving them support and creative freedom, Quantic Dream are saying the same, and how many indie (well, smaller, not actually indie) developers have come out and said that developing for the PSN is much more lenient than XBLA?

I also remember Sony saying at one point that they hated the idea of buying Exclusivity (in response to Microsoft doing that), and that their business model was "if you build it, they will come", and that they take a very hands-off approach to managing their companies or something. They said they just want to make the best console, and that alone should encourage people to develop for them.

and with the amount of new IP's we have on Sony products (PS3 and Vita are both doing well in that respect), I think this proves a lot about their claims. I mean, how many NEW IP's have been released on Wii or 360? I mean, they both have new IP's, like Gears of War or whatever, but nothing near as innovative as Heavy Rain or LittlebigPlanet. The proof is in the rub, right?

Well Sony needed a game to fill a hole in it's gaming portfolio. They weren't offering any gritty shooters at a time when the market was calling out for them. I think the boundaries of creative freedom can only stretch so far, until you aren't even managing a company any more, just a series of developers doing whatever they please in an office space, being funded every month with no regulations. (I'm not sure in the case of ND if any left the team as a result of the change of direction of the game. I believe many left as a result of the development of Uncharted being so difficult, correct me if I'm wrong though.)

All the projects at Sony need to be greenlit. We know that. So these devs will come up with whatever ideas they want, then the head honcho will give it a seal of approval or have it scrapped- in which case it's back to the drawing board. All the games that make it to market Sony will obviously have faith in. So while yes, creative freedom more than likely exists once a game starts to get funding, Sony won't just roll with any idea a developer comes up with. They will always probably be aware of the overall picture and how this new idea is fitting in to their catalogue and release schedule.

Hats off to you.

They don't compare very well at all.  As much as I loved them, Jak & Sly were both franchises very much on the decline throughout the PS2 era. Compare that to Uncharted, which has only grown with popularity and seems to be growning even further with U3.  I can't see it being dropped by ND Team 1 at Sony's insistance, but I hope it is.

On topic, double edged sword. I love this about Sony - they've appeared, at least in the past few years, as a very lenient publisher who throw money at good projects but don't force themselves upon them. It's why I feel so strongly about them, because in this era it just seems so rare. And it's rewarded me with so many fantastic experiences that I really respect them for.

On the other hand, yeah - Team Ico AWOL has been a disaster as they're clearly a team that needed more management. Studio Liverpool, apparently, too (although in their case, I think they're clearly a tremendously talented team - easily the best of Sony's in Europe, but they should have been pushed harder. They should have been given more projects, been told to tune up the tech for other games (since their WipEout HD performance was so good etc.). That would have saved them).

Anyway, Sony may need to pull more management strings with some studios - play it by ear, someone like Zipper doesn't need it but someone like Team Ico do.

Also, I agree with this from Kitler:

"but at some point they need to have a studio or two that really dig downs and really tries to be more mass marketable. they are going to drive themselves out of business this way."

As much as I love them, it's true. They need a few more mass market hits.

Totally ignoring the google search bar in the top right of my browser...

Who's sanzaru?

They're the studio working on Sly 4, they also worked on the Sly HD collection and apparantly a Wii game and PS2 game in 2009(!!) according to wikipedia.

Sanzaru are decent.  They ported Secret Agent Clank to the PS2 (from PSP) and worked on a Wii game that I know nothing about.

They also made the Sly HD Collection, and apparently they approached Sony about making a Sly 4 with a demo or something which Sony greenlit.  Which I think is a pretty cool thing to do, and if Sucker Punch don't want to make the next installment then I couldn't think of a better studio than Sanzaru to make it.  I have high hopes!

Sucker Punch is also reviewing their progress and giving suggestions. They're heavily involved apparantly, so I that gives me a lot of hope :)

I did not know that.  It's really nice to hear!  Everything I've seen/heard about this game so far sounds exactly what I'd want from the next Sly installment.