Why Did Sony Abandon inFamous, and Will We Ever See it Back?

Why Did Sony Abandon inFamous, and Will We Ever See it Back?

As a longtime PlayStation gamer and avid fan of the Sucker Punch studio, I’ve been following their work closely for over a decade now. I fondly remember playing the first inFamous game back in 2009 and being utterly captivated by its unique blend of open-world exploration, superpowers, and engaging storyline. Over the years, I’ve eagerly anticipated each new installment, immersing myself in the rich worlds that Sucker Punch has created.


Sony’s collection of first-party brands is thriving more than ever. For decades, first-party franchises have been essential to PlayStation’s triumphs. However, over the past 7-8 years, the PlayStation label has truly shone, producing standout titles such as The Last of Us, Uncharted, and God of War, alongside fresh intellectual properties like Horizon and Ghost of Tsushima. This prosperous streak of first-party achievements positions PlayStation for potentially numerous more triumphs in the coming years (assuming no major setbacks occur).

During the PS4 era, the revitalization of PlayStation Studios was nothing short of amazing to observe. However, this revival came at a cost as some Sony titles, including “inFamous” by Sucker Punch, sadly met their end. This beloved series let players live out their superhero or supervillain dreams in immersive open worlds that were meticulously designed and a joy to explore. Although Sucker Punch initiated the PS4 era with “inFamous,” it appears that the studio has since moved on, making a continuation of the franchise increasingly unlikely.

Why then did the inFamous series fail to endure beyond its early years on PS4? If the critically and financially disappointing inFamous Second Son was the cause for Sucker Punch’s drastic shift, it would be simple to explain. However, Second Son wasn’t a flop; it was at least a decent game, though not an instant classic. With sales of around six million units by 2019, it wasn’t a commercial failure either. Its companion expansion, First Light, also received positive feedback from both critics and players. Therefore, the inFamous franchise had sufficient success to merit its continued existence.

As a gamer, I can’t help but ponder over the reason behind the disappearance of “inFamous” from the gaming scene. Perhaps it was just time for a change, and Sucker Punch had exhausted all creative possibilities they saw in the franchise. After developing three major installments within six years, they might have felt that they’ve mined every ounce of innovation from this series. It’s not an unusual situation, as game studios often look for fresh ideas to explore, even if it means saying goodbye to beloved franchises like “inFamous.” Ultimately, it’s an essential part of the creative process- the evolution of new IPs that keep our gaming experiences diverse and exciting. Even within the PlayStation family, there are numerous dormant franchises, including “Resistance” and “Killzone,” which saw their creators move on to new projects.

Similarly to how Guerrilla shifted from the “Killzone” series, and Naughty Dog transitioned from “Uncharted,” Sucker Punch chose to leave behind “inFamous.” While “inFamous” was successful, it wasn’t a surprise that the studio wanted to explore new possibilities. After three installments, there were signs of the series losing its freshness, and it’s commendable when studios acknowledge this and move towards something innovative. Sony, as the parent company, will have input, but historically, first-party PlayStation studios are granted creative freedom to choose their projects.

Why Did Sony Abandon inFamous, and Will We Ever See it Back?

In reality, there are often complications to such situations. For instance, Sony might not be thrilled with a studio abandoning one of its most esteemed and profitable franchises like “inFamous” to pursue something entirely novel and daring. However, “inFamous” didn’t exactly break sales records or receive unanimous critical acclaim, which may explain why both Sucker Punch and Sony were open to the studio trying something new – potentially even more successful. Of course, if that new endeavor fails, it could lead to regrets. But history has shown us that when it pays off, such a decision can look brilliant in hindsight.

In a similar vein to how Horizon Zero Dawn’s triumph enabled Guerrilla to advance beyond Killzone, Sucker Punch has been propelled to greater heights due to Ghost of Tsushima’s resounding success. The game has garnered critical acclaim, sold impressively well, and even secured a major Hollywood adaptation – all signs of a runaway hit. Although we have only experienced the initial release of this samurai epic, it is safe to assume that the Ghost of Tsushima franchise will be Sucker Punch’s primary focus moving forward for some time.

As a passionate gamer, I can’t deny the joy and excitement I got from playing “Ghost of Tsushima” last year. And believe me, we are all eagerly waiting for its sequel. Although Sony hasn’t made any official statements about it yet, I’m optimistic that we’ll get to experience more of this captivating world soon. Sucker Punch, the brilliant minds behind this game, have shown no signs of leaving feudal Japan anytime soon. So, if you were hoping for a new “inFamous” game from them, I would advise you to keep your expectations in check. Even if Sucker Punch expanded and became a multi-project studio, they might prefer exploring fresh concepts rather than revisiting old territories again.

Why Did Sony Abandon inFamous, and Will We Ever See it Back?

Could it be possible that Sony might establish a new studio or contract with an external one to create the next installment of “inFamous” at some point? This is something Sony has done before, particularly for smaller-scale first-party games intended to strengthen their release schedules. Previous examples include “LittleBigPlanet 3,” “Sackboy: A Big Adventure,” and “Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time.” However, the question remains whether “inFamous” has enough success for Sony to invest in such a project, considering the significant resources required to produce a game of its scale nowadays.

At present, it seems that the fans of “inFamous” may need to endure more wait time. There’s no indication that Sony or Sucker Punch plan on revisiting the series anytime soon. A remastered collection might be our only option, but honestly, that feels like a long shot at this moment in time.

I’d like to share my perspective on this article’s content, but please keep in mind that it is solely my interpretation and does not reflect the views or endorsement of GamingBolt as a whole. As someone with a deep passion for gaming and journalism, I found this piece particularly intriguing due to its unique perspective on the topic at hand. The author’s personal experiences and insights added depth and nuance to the discussion, providing a fresh take that resonated with me. However, it is essential to recognize that everyone may not agree with their viewpoint, as we all come from different backgrounds and have distinct experiences shaping our perspectives. Nonetheless, I appreciate the author’s dedication to exploring new angles within the gaming community and look forward to reading more of their work.

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2024-07-22 16:12