PlayStation announces a new studio, teamLFG, focused on multiplayer
The newest PlayStation studio is teamLFG, which focuses on multiplayer live service games. The team shared a statement giving a glimpse of its first game.
Today, PlayStation announced a new studio under its umbrella, teamLFG, focusing on multiplayer games. This studio was originally part of Bungie, Destiny 2 yesterday, but has since spun out to create a separate studio. The new studio will be composed of industry veterans, who have already begun to tease what their first game will be like.
PlayStation announces a new studio, teamLFG, with a focus on multiplayer games
Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO, Studio Business Group, Hermen Hulst, shared the news on the PlayStation.Blog. In the announcement, Hulst shares a statement directly from the team, but adds: “teamLFG originated at Bungie, but has also rallied developers from across the industry to bring to life an ambitious incubation project that I’m very excited about.” While we don’t know what project this team is working on, chances are it is the rumored “Project Gummy Bears” that has come up in the past. A MOBA that may be targeting a younger audience, according to Eurogamer.
The statement from teamLFG is long and does not provide much detail about the new studio or the new project. “We are a team composed not just of industry veterans who have shipped titles like Destiny, Halo, League of Legends, Fortnite, Roblox, and Rec Room, but also industry newcomers with fresh creative perspectives and skills.” The inclusion of Bungie titles like Roblox is noteworthy. Not only does this give a glimpse at the team's makeup, but it also shows what the studio values. This new studio will likely try to create a game in the vein of those monumental live service titles.
Thankfully, the statement also explains the studio’s name. “The ‘LFG’ in ‘teamLFG’ stands for ‘Looking For Group.’ We are driven by a mission to create games where players can find friendship, community, and belonging.” I’ll be honest, it was not the first acronym that came to mind when I saw this. Of course, they would not mention the alternative interpretation for this studio name here, but it would be surprising if they were completely unaware of any other possible meanings.
teamLFG also shared some of their goals. “We will make immersive multiplayer worlds propelled by action games that players can learn, play, and master for countless hours… It’s critical that we stay nimble enough to react to player , not just in our lead-up to launch, but throughout live service as we continue to grow the game and community for years to come.” Since this is a PlayStation studio, Early Access might not have anything to do with Steam. Early Access can be a contentious topic, especially when players see it as large studios selling their game in an unfinished state. This statement could instead be hinting at free console playtests. On the other hand, PlayStation has found success with Helldivers 2 launching simultaneously on Steam, so they may see the potential on that platform, especially for multiplayer games.
Finally, teamLFG shared a teaser for their first project. “Our first game is a team-based action game that draws inspiration from fighting games, platformers, MOBAs, life sims, and frog-type games. Players will inhabit a lighthearted, comedic world set in [a] brand-new, mythic, science-fantasy universe.” There is a lot to unpack here. From one perspective, it sounds like this could be some kind of PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale. However, adding “life sim” as an inspiration makes the concept more complex. I also cannot figure out what a “frog-type game” is. This must mean it’s a game about frogs, right? Ultimately, we will have to wait to hear more from this new studio.
