Global InformationPsygnosis information
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2010) |
 Logo designed by Roger Dean[1] | |
| Formerly | Psygnosis (1984–1999) |
|---|---|
| Company type | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Founders | Ian Hetherington David Lawson Jonathan Ellis |
| Defunct | 22 August 2012 |
| Fate | Merged |
| Headquarters | Napier Court, Wavertree Technology Park, Liverpool, England |
| Products | Shadow of the Beast Lemmings Wipeout Colony Wars Formula One |
| Parent | Sony Computer Entertainment (1993–2012) |
| Website | worldwidestudios.net/liverpool |
Psygnosis Limited (/sɪɡˈnəʊ.sɪs/; known as SCE Studio Liverpool or simply Studio Liverpool from 1999)[1] was a British video game developer and publisher headquartered at Wavertree Technology Park in Liverpool. Founded in 1984[1][2] by Ian Hetherington, Jonathan Ellis, and David Lawson, the company initially became known for well-received games on the Atari ST and Amiga. In 1993, it became a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) and began developing games for the original PlayStation. It later became a part of SCE Worldwide Studios. The company was the oldest and second largest development house within SCE's European stable of developers, and became best known for franchises such as Lemmings, Wipeout, Formula One, and Colony Wars.
Reports of Studio Liverpool's closure surfaced on 22 August 2012, with Edge quoting staff tweets.[3] Staff members were told the news by Michael Denny, vice president of Sony Worldwide Studios Europe.[4] Sony said that the Liverpool site would remain in operation, as it was still home to many Sony Departments.[5] At the time of its closure, it employed roughly 100 people comprising two development teams. Mick Hocking oversaw Studio Liverpool's operations as its last Group Studio Director, a position he continued to hold within Evolution Studios.
Psygnosis still exists as a legal entity under Sony and continues to make legal filings, but has had no developers since 2012.[6] In December 2021, Sony renewed Psygnosis' logo and trademarks despite not using the Psygnosis branding since 2000, though this is thought to be standard filing practice as trademarks last for a decade in the United States and Sony had previously filed renewal applications in 2011 as well.[7]
- ^ a b c "And Your Birds Can Sing – The Legacy of Psygnosis". Retro Gamer. Imagine Publishing. 11 October 2012. pp. 22–29.
- ^ "Corporate Backgrounder". Psygnosis. 26 June 1996. Archived from the original on 22 October 1996.
The company has developed and published more than 100 titles since its founding in 1984
- ^ Brown, Nathan (22 August 2012). "Sony to close Studio Liverpool – Edge Magazine". Edge-online.com. Archived from the original on 6 December 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ^ Crossley, Rob. "PlayStation News: Sony to axe Liverpool studio". ComputerAndVideoGames.com. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
- ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (22 August 2012). "Sony closes WipEout developer Sony Liverpool • News •". Eurogamer.net. Archived from the original on 23 August 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
- ^ "Filing history for PSYGNOSIS LIMITED (01039371)". company-information.service.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
- ^ Scullion, Chris (17 January 2022). "Sony has renewed the Psygnosis trademark and logo". VCG. Archived from the original on 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.