Sackboy Deveoper Sumo Digital Ceasing Development Of Original IP

Summary

• Sumo Digital transitions to a support studio
• Impact on employees due to the transition
• Recent underperforming releases drive the transition.

Sumo Digital, the development house that made Sackboy: A Big Adventure, has announced that they are transitioning from developing games from scratch to being a support studio for development outfits.

Those unfamiliar with support studios, they are usually third-party companies that help in-house studios with projects. Some of the games Sumo Digital has contributed to recently include Hogwarts Legacy, Call of Duty: Vanguard, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and more.

Sumo Digital Transitions To Being A Support Studio After Numerous Underperforming Releases

Sumo Digital announced the transition in a statement titled “Sumo Group Business Update.”

“For over 20 years, we have built an enviable reputation as a trusted and respected game developer working with the most prestigious partners in the world on their commercially and creatively successful games. More recently, we embraced opportunities to develop our own IP, taking on ambitious and creative projects that showcased the incredible talent of our teams. This journey has fostered remarkable creativity and innovation, and we are deeply proud of all we have achieved together,” the studio notes.

Continuing with the statement, Sumo Digital adds, “However, as the industry evolves, we must balance our creative ambitions and the commercial realities to ensure the long-term stability and success of our business. After careful consideration, we have made the strategic decision to focus Sumo Digital exclusively on development services for partners – our core strength and the foundation of our success.”

Unfortunately, this means the transition will impact employees. While Sumo Digital hasn’t specified how many people will be affected, the studio mentioned they are “committed to minimizing the impact as much as possible.” They are exploring all options to retain talent and to help those affected.

Following Sumo Digital in-house releases, it’s unsurprising to see the studio go this route. One of the most recent major releases include Hood: Outlaws & Legends, a short-lived multiplayer game released in 2021. While the studio helped develop The Texas Chain Saw Massacre alongside Gun Interactive, the studio hasn’t had a breakout hit on its own for a significant amount of time.

While Sumo Digital isn’t closing its doors, the people affected by this transition adds to the bloody start of 2025 for game developers. Big or small studios have been affected by layoffs, project cancellations, and even studio closures.

We hope everyone affected lands on their feet fast.