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Rumor: Sony Planning On Shutting Down Zipper Interactive

The writing could be on the wall for Socom and MAG developer, Zipper Interactive.

According to sources at Kotaku, the developer is being hit with layoffs and project cancellations and may even face studio shutdown. Zipper’s last game was the PSone Vita title Unit 13

We’ve reached out to Sony for confirmation, but the publisher declined to comment. 

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Comments
  • Can't say I didn't see this coming. I liked Zipper's games, especially MAG but most people just don't care about them these days.
  • I'm sorry but most of Zipper's releases recently have sucked so bad that I saw this coming a mile away. It's a shame because I think Unit 13 is a decent title however it doesn't excuse the other garbage they've released *cough* Mag *cough* lol.
  • Never heard of it but im willing to give it a chance but I dont have high expectations for this game to be a hit.
  • It's always sad to see something like this. Though I'm not really surprised. The last game of theirs I remember enjoying was Socom 3: US Navy Seals.

  • Can't say I didn't see this coming. This was surprising too, since most of Sony's first party developers make quality games. SOCOM 4 was interesting for a while, and MAG was...bad. My heart goes out to the employees, though.
  • I am not surprised, I loved MAG, and they really put a lot of effort making the game better after release; way more effort then I've seen any developer really do. MAG was the last truly great and innovative thing they did, Socom 4 was just generic.
  • Sooooooo.... no MAG 2?
  • It's always bad to hear when a developer is being closed, but they just haven't been the same studio since last generation. Best of wishes to everyone who must now find a job.

  • Haven't played MAG but from what I've heard it was poor execution of a good idea. Socom 4 kind of sucked...It was fun for a couple weeks then just got boring. I've actually been having lots of fun with Unit 13 but If you're a Vita owner and a shooter fan then you really have no other choice right now. If there were more choices I would probably push it aside too.
    Hate to hear more people in the industry are losing their jobs though...seems there is always a studio laying off or totally shutting down these days. Less developers = Less games to play (good or bad) and well.....that just blows
  • its a pity to see another studio going under, but they really haven't been their best lately so its not a total surprise unfortunately
  • it's never happy news to hear about a dev getting the shank. Good luck to all parties involved.

  • Well, MAG had a long run for me. I guess I got my $60 out of it. Well, $60 divided by 110 hours. That is almost $0.50 an hour to play that game.

    I'll be sad when Sony lets go Zipper. They really have a lot of talent there and could probably make some great new IPs or build on the existing ones like Socom and MAG.

  • MAG wasn't a bad idea, but a game so heavily dependent on the players for the idea to work; it had its work cut out for it.

  • PSone VITA title? WTF
  • MAG was a cool idea that didnt end up all too well
  • MAG was an incredible game. It was Sony who screwed it up by not advertising it enough. Then by letting Zipper decide what to make as DLC instead of listening to the fans.

  • That's sad. I sucked at MAG, but I don't think it was a bad game. If anything the studio showed some potential.

    I wish them luck.

  • PLEASE tell me they won't shut down the servers for MAG!
  • MAG was an ambitious idea that came to life but the results werent that great... but besides that you have to understand that between this developer and Slant Six... they destroyed what SOCOM was and failed to (fully) implement even their own ideas into Confrontation and 4. This shouldnt be a surprise... I hope the employee's land on their feet cause its a hard industry to stay in once what you are known for gets criticized in the media...
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