There were rumors going around recently that Sony was planning to shut down Zipper Interactive, creators of the SOCOM franchise. Sadly, the rumors have turned out to be true.
Sony confirmed today in a statement to Game Informer that it has closed down Zipper Interactive roughly six years after the company purchased the developer.
“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 Interactive, which had roughly 80 employees, was purchased by Sony in 2006 just as the SOCOM franchise reached the 7 million units sold milestone. The series hit a slump in popularity when it made the transition into HD, however, and the release of SOCOM 4 was followed by news that the company laid off an undisclosed amount of people.
To all of the talented men and women who worked at Zipper Interactive, we wish you all the best moving forward.
Source: Game Informer
