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Sony-Owned Firesprite's Projects Leak, Reveals Canceled Unreal Engine 5 Post-Apocalyptic Live Service Game and Sci-Fi Battle Royale Concepts

Leaked Firesprite images reveal canceled Unreal Engine 5 post-apocalyptic live service game and sci-fi battle royale concepts.

thegamepost.com

Lots of concept images at the link.

Leaked Firesprite images reveal canceled Unreal Engine 5 post-apocalyptic live service game and sci-fi battle royale concepts.

Firesprite, one of Sony’s internal studios, has been in the spotlight this year, but not always for the right reasons. Earlier reports suggested the studio had been grappling with internal issues, including claims of a toxic work culture, mismanagement, and multiple high-profile staff departures.

On top of that, one of the studio’s ambitious projects, the live service Twisted Metal game, was reportedly canceled earlier this year as a result of layoffs in Sony‘s gaming division. This latest development adds more to the ongoing story.

Image: Firesprite | PlayStation

Newly surfaced images have revealed concept art and designs from two previously unannounced projects in development at Firesprite. The first was a gritty post-apocalyptic live service game built in Unreal Engine 5, while the second was a stylized sci-fi battle royale title.

PlayStation Firesprite’s Twisted Metal Concepts Leaked?​

The Game Post came across a collection of concept art and 3D renders that offer a look into Firesprite’s shelved project. The images were originally shared online by a former lead artist at the company, showcasing intricate weapon and prop designs that were crafted for this game.

The first set of images comes from a post-apocalyptic game described as a live service title. According to the post accompanying the artwork, the project was being developed using Unreal Engine 5 and seemed to be pushing for high visual fidelity. Unfortunately, this ambitious title never made it past development and was ultimately canceled.

Image: Firesprite | PlayStation

“As you can see, these weapons are designed to look worn and post-apocalyptic, adding to the immersive atmosphere of the gaming environment,” the post reads. “The Game was being developed using Unreal 5.”

Interestingly, this project’s cancellation draws parallels to the rumored Twisted Metal game that was in development at Firesprite before getting shelved earlier this year. Both were set in post-apocalyptic worlds, featured live-service elements, and ended up being canceled.

The former artist’s resume also sheds light on these projects, stating, “I took on the role of Lead Vehicle, Weapon, and Props Artist for another service/free-to-play project, but unfortunately, Sony canceled this title.”

 

[Spukc]

 

[cormack12]

source: https://thegamepost.com/sony-firesp...yptic-live-service-game-sci-fi-battle-royale/

Leaked Firesprite images reveal canceled Unreal Engine 5 post-apocalyptic live service game and sci-fi battle royale concepts.

PlayStation Firesprite’s Twisted Metal Concepts Leaked?​

The Game Post came across a collection of concept art and 3D renders that offer a look into Firesprite’s shelved project. The images were originally shared online by a former lead artist at the company, showcasing intricate weapon and prop designs that were crafted for this game.

The first set of images comes from a post-apocalyptic game described as a live service title. According to the post accompanying the artwork, the project was being developed using Unreal Engine 5 and seemed to be pushing for high visual fidelity. Unfortunately, this ambitious title never made it past development and was ultimately canceled.

As you can see, these weapons are designed to look worn and post-apocalyptic, adding to the immersive atmosphere of the gaming environment,” the post reads. “The Game was being developed using Unreal 5.”

The former artist’s resume also sheds light on these projects, stating, “I took on the role of Lead Vehicle, Weapon, and Props Artist for another service/free-to-play project, but unfortunately, Sony canceled this title.”

The second project, in contrast, leaned into a vibrant sci-fi aesthetic. It was a free-to-play battle royale game featuring sleek, stylized weaponry and props. The post explained that the project underwent “several stylistic changes” as it was transferred to another developer when the intellectual property (IP) was sold. Development on this title lasted 18 months before the handover.

“Presenting a collection of stylized concepts for weapons and props designed for a Sci-Fi Battle Royale free-to-play game. The project was eventually later handed over to another developer which underwent several stylistic changes.”

“After 18 months, the project was transferred to another team as the IP was sold,” the artist’s resume reads.

 

[Hookshot]

Why is Sony leakier than an incontinence convention?

 

[Punished Miku]

I feel nothing.

 

[nial]

Twisted Metal and a project that was in development before they got acquired by Sony.

The second project, in contrast, leaned into a vibrant sci-fi aesthetic. It was a free-to-play battle royale game featuring sleek, stylized weaponry and props. The post explained that the project underwent “several stylistic changes” as it was transferred to another developer when the intellectual property (IP) was sold. Development on this title lasted 18 months before the handover.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

IP was sold? Death Stranding?

 

[clarky]

IP was sold? Death Stranding?

DS doesn't fit the description at all.

 

[touchfuzzy]

Twisted Metal was probably the only live service game from Sony I was interested in, so of course it got canned.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

DS doesn't fit the description at all.

Yeah I just don’t know any other IP that Sony sold

 

[Luipadre]

 

[Zacfoldor]

Sony simply got tired of flops and the game I've read described in the OP was going to flop if it ever released.

Nothing against Twisted Metal Fans like myself, I'd love a new real Twisted Metal game, but this wasn't it.

 

[PeteBull]

Why is Sony leakier than an incontinence convention?

I would guess mountain of unhappy devs in those studios, if ppl are let go/feel they got somewhat hurt/unfairy treated(not saying that was reality, just how they feel) ofc they will be pissed off and some of them will wanna do spiteful things as a revenge xD

 

[adamsapple]

I would guess mountain of unhappy devs in those studios, if ppl are let go/feel they got somewhat hurt/unfairy treated(not saying that was reality, just how they feel) ofc they will be pissed off and some of them will wanna do spiteful things as a revenge xD

Yeah, it says they were originally released by a senior artist, probably just dumped them all online when he got the nod that their project has been shelved.

 

[Dacvak]

 

[nial]

Why is Sony leakier than an incontinence convention?

There are barely leaks of Sony game projects, though?

 

[nial]

IP was sold? Death Stranding?

DS doesn't fit the description at all.

Yeah I just don’t know any other IP that Sony sold

They're talking about Firesprite's own IP.

 

[EN250]

 

[Sebastian1295]

I don't see how twisted metal would sell enough or make enough money without it being a free to play live service game. The series has been out of the spotlight forever and was niche to begin with so you'd have to do a live service concept with it for it to have any hope of making a profit.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

They're talking about Firesprite's own IP.

Who would buy their unproven ip?

 

[nial]

Who would buy their unproven ip?

A close developer, probably.

 

[Men_in_Boxes]

 

[Thief1987]

Who would buy their unproven ip?

Before acquisition they worked on some project with another publisher, they stated later that this project after 18 months of development was transferred to another studio. Most likely it.

 

[adamsapple]

 

[CamHostage]

I don't see how twisted metal would sell enough or make enough money without it being a free to play live service game. The series has been out of the spotlight forever and was niche to begin with so you'd have to do a live service concept with it for it to have any hope of making a profit.

Well, I didn't think the Twisted Metal TV would work for similar reasons (plus all the impressions of it from trailers and announcements were dismal,) but apparently that was a hit and people liked it.

TM is the quick-twitch addiction that they could build a live service game on. Problem as I see is that it'd be hard to build an economy on, since they did generic characters over set hero vehicles with the PS3 game and it went over badly even though there was still great variety in that game. Creating a system for personalization and F2P/P2W balancing could be a challenge in that world. That said, I imagine that was always on the developer's mind as well, and they might have had answers for that yet still got canned.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

So are TM and the IP sold off to another company count as two of Sony's GAAS games? If so, both are dead.

They probably gassed these projects as the company is in a shit storm.

Firesprite - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

In September 2021, Sony Interactive Entertainment announced that it had acquired the studio.[10] Later in the month, Sony acquired Fabrik Games, a studio founded by Firesprite co-founder Ankers, "in connection with Firesprite joining PlayStation Studios”.[11] This brought the studio's headcount to 265.[1] In February 2024, it was reported that layoffs were taking place at Firesprite in conjunction with Sony's cuts across the company. The studio's previously unrevealed Twisted Metal live service game was also cancelled.[12]

On 29 February 2024 Eurogamer published an investigation into Firesprite that found the company had devolved into a chaotic and toxic work environment. After the acquisition by Sony, crunch was implemented in order to finish Horizon Call of the Mountain and staff left in droves following a retention bonus payout in October 2023. Once all but one of the original founders left the studio, executives from Sony's XDev support studio took over. Multiple employees reported the studio's new leadership for sexual discrimination and ageism, but allegations were reportedly dismissed by Sony.[13]

 

[Spearheadz]

I've wanted a new Twisted Metal for 11 years now, but that concept art looks decidedly not Twisted Metal and shitty to boot.

 

[fastest finger]

Whatever.

I’m glad SIE’s Live Service aspirations are dying off.

Firesprite are now working on a dark, story-driven, AAA Narrative Adventure title. Much more in line with what made the PlayStation brand successful in recent years and a welcome development in my view.

 

[Unknown?]

Whatever.

I’m glad SIE’s Live Service aspirations are dying off.

Firesprite are now working on a dark, story-driven, Narrative Adventure. Much more in line with what made the PlayStation brand successful in recent years and a welcome development in my view.

Most likely they were working on that in tandem with these projects. FireSprite were never working solely on live service games.

 

[fastest finger]

Most likely they were working on that in tandem with these projects. FireSprite were never working solely on live service games.

Perhaps so, but with the distraction of chasing Live Service games gone, hopefully we’ll see a return to form from SIE.

 

[Unknown?]

Perhaps so, but with the distraction of chasing Live Service games gone, hopefully we’ll see a return to form from SIE.

Well hopefully it means it won't take long without working on other games.