Recent job postings offer intriguing clues about the inaugural project from PlayStation's newly established Los Angeles studio, strongly suggesting the development of a co-op multiplayer game. While Sony has yet to officially acknowledge this team or its project, details are beginning to emerge online.

PlayStation boasts a diverse portfolio of 15 core game studios and five support/external development teams.  This mix includes long-standing acquisitions like Housemarque, Insomniac Games, Nixxes Software, Naughty Dog, Guerrilla Games, and Sucker Punch, alongside internally founded studios such as Santa Monica Studio, XDEV, Polyphony Digital, and San Diego Studio.  Continuing this tradition, Sony has been quietly building new internal teams, one of which appears to be the LA-based studio in question.

While reports earlier this year indicated layoffs at PlayStation's Visual Arts support studio, this new LA studio seems to be thriving. Initial job listings hinted at a "groundbreaking" AAA IP.  Now, further investigation by Tech4Gamers reveals more specific roles, including a Game Systems Designer.

The Game Systems Designer position explicitly requires "experience with and knowledge of co-operative multiplayer design principles and ideals." While this could indicate a live-service game, the current PS5 exclusivity might suggest otherwise, as PlayStation's live-service titles typically launch on both PS5 and PC.

Another opening for a Senior Gameplay Designer highlights key systems like "weapons, abilities, player movement, networking, and AI." The mention of "networking" reinforces the likelihood of a multiplayer focus.  Intriguingly, experience with Unreal Engine 4/5 is also listed as a requirement, suggesting this engine is being utilized for the project.

Speculation within the gaming community links this project to former Deviation Games co-founder Jason Blundell.  Sony partnered with the then-new Deviation Games in 2021 for a new AAA PS5 IP.  However, this partnership dissolved, with Sony reportedly ceasing funding in early 2023, leading to Deviation Games' closure in March 2024.  Rumors subsequently emerged of Sony forming a new team with ex-Deviation staff, potentially led by Blundell.  The PlayStation LA studio could very well be this team, though confirmation remains elusive.