Sony has recently unveiled a new PlayStation studio named teamLFG, sparking excitement with the announcement of its first project. In a detailed post on the PlayStation Blog, Hermen Hulst, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Studio Business Group, revealed that teamLFG originated from the acclaimed Destiny and Marathon developer, Bungie. The studio is currently working on an ambitious incubation project that Hulst is particularly enthusiastic about.
The name teamLFG, which stands for 'Looking For Group,' hints at the studio's focus on social gaming. Their debut game is described as a team-based action game that creatively blends elements from fighting games, platformers, MOBAs, life sims, and "frog-type games." This unique mix aims to immerse players in a lighthearted, comedic world set within a new, mythic, science-fantasy universe.
teamLFG's mission is deeply rooted in fostering friendship, community, and a sense of belonging among players. They envision a gaming experience where players log on to find their friends already online, create memorable moments, and build lasting relationships. The studio emphasizes the joy of pulling off game-changing plays and celebrates the communal storytelling that emerges from these interactions. As they put it, “dat’s da good stuff.”
The studio is committed to creating immersive multiplayer worlds that players can engage with for countless hours, learning, playing, and mastering the game. They plan to involve the community in the development process through early access playtests, ensuring that player feedback shapes the game not just before launch but throughout its live service phase.
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The incubation project that became teamLFG was spun out of Bungie amid significant layoffs last year. Following Sony's acquisition, Bungie struggled to meet financial targets with Destiny 2, leading to layoffs affecting around 100 employees in November 2023. A second round of layoffs in 2024 impacted another 220 individuals, or 17% of the studio's workforce, with 155 being integrated into other parts of Sony Interactive Entertainment. It was during this period that the incubation project's spin-off was announced.
In related news, a former Bungie lawyer praised Sony's role in pushing through improvements to Destiny 2, describing it as a positive move. Since then, Bungie has fully revealed their extraction shooter, Marathon, and confirmed the roadmap for Destiny 2's future. They have no plans for Destiny 3 and have canceled a Destiny spinoff called Payback.