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Sony Closes Zipper Interactive

Sony today confirmed it has closed Seattle-based game studio Zipper Interactive, the creators of the SOCOM series.

Responding to rumors last week, Sony representatives sent Game Informer the following statement:

Sony Computer Entertainment can confirm the closure of Zipper Interactive, a Seattle-based internal game development studio that has been part of the global development operation of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS).

The closure is a result of a normal cycle of resource re-alignment within SCE WWS. Zipper has completed all work associated with its most recent project, Unit 13 for PlayStation Vita. Zipper titles MAG, SOCOM 4 and Unit 13 will continue to be supported, including the new Daily Challenges in Unit 13.

Zipper had approximately 80 employees.

Comments
  • I won't miss 'em. We need about a dozen more military shooter developers to go out of business now (like 6 of those would be Activision's numerous Call of Duty studios). That being said, I hope whatever talented guys were there will find work somewhere else soon. At other, better, more creative Sony studios, probably.
  • I got MAG and one SOCOM Game. I liked MAG to begin with but then I slowly began hating it. SOCOM, it was a good game though the controls weren't to my liking. Basically, I don't like seeing people being closed down especially Sony groups. I hope the programmers find new jobs well! Probably will.

  • Ouch, this sucks. Good luck to those that got laid off!

  • I sure hope that Zipper Interactive's fate as a developer wasn't exclusively tied to the sales of Unit 13, considering that Unit 13 came out on March 6th, the same day as Mass Effect 3. This is even more the case since both games are in the same shooters genre. A game company that has a specialization such as military shooters can only do so much when competing with highly anticipated AAA titles, and especially a title that finished a long and mystery-filled space trilogy. This kind of situation is equivalent to any movie that had come out the same opening weekend as Return of the Jedi back in the day. Have mercy on those 80 employees!

  • What. Does MAG still work? If not, time to sell to an idiot friend.

  • What. Does MAG still work? If not, time to sell to an idiot friend.

  • Wow....they only had a few series, but they were still pretty good.
  • hey got stuff done. respect.

  • Unfortunate for those 80 people.  Good luck to them.  Although it is understandable since their games haven't been that great since SOCOM 2 IMO.

  • It's sad whenever a studio closes and people lose their jobs. That being said, I haven't really been impressed with the games Zipper has developed in the last few years. The first couple SOCOM games were pretty good and I put in a lot of hours with them in the early days of online console gaming with the PS2. I was excited for MAG when it was announced but I didn't feel like it lived up to the hype.

  • well the games I thought sold even if they werent spectacular and fell flatish- was MAG a really successful? I thought it failed to meet estimates . But the last few games hadnt been that great tbh or that different to each other , the studio seemed to have become stagnant. Shame they lost their jobs though probably only a few will actually go somwhere else be impressed if they all got a job somewhere in the reshuffling.
  • MAG is a great game, I'd love to see another developer take a shot at a MAG 2.

  • Always sad to see a studio close. I wish the employees at Zipper Interactive good luck

  • Man If I knew they were from washington I would of supported them more haha to late now.

  • I hope everyone finds new jobs soon.  I rather enjoyed these games, for the most part.

  • that bites. i hate to see 80 families go though a job loss.
  • what? Why? Zipper is freaking a awesome studio.
  • its really a shame to see zipper go all i had was brink and mag but i didn't play brink but a few times i played mag 2 years running and today i still do and now that i know there isn't a mag2 coming out is really disappointing i love mag and always will, i have many and made tuns and more than 1000's of friends from just mag alone mag will never get old if anyone wants to join me on mag and my clan or just to have a game and group going then let me know im always available to have a game of mag. mag is apart of my life always will be mag is the best game and i dont care what anyone says mag is my life never will change, wudve being nice if they had new mag maps and new mag weapons but it dont matter i hope that whoever comes accros mag comes to terms and makes mag2 R.I.P Zipper ;(.....