Firesprite
Firesprite is a video game development studio headquartered in Liverpool, United Kingdom, founded in 2012 by industry veterans with experience at local developers such as Psygnosis and Ocean Software.[1][2] Acquired by Sony Interactive Entertainment in September 2021, it operates as a first-party studio within PlayStation Studios, focusing on creating innovative titles that showcase PlayStation hardware capabilities, particularly in virtual reality.[3][1] The studio, which employs over 200 developers, has contributed to projects including The Persistence, a roguelike horror game, and co-developed Horizon Call of the Mountain, the launch title for PlayStation VR2, in collaboration with Guerrilla Games.[4][5][6] Following its acquisition, Firesprite relocated to a new purpose-built facility in Liverpool to support ongoing development ambitions.[7] However, the studio has encountered challenges, including staff reductions and reports from employees describing a shift toward a more toxic work environment marked by instances of sexism, ageism, and mismanagement under new leadership.[8][9] These issues, detailed in investigative reporting citing anonymous developer accounts, highlight tensions in integrating independent studio culture with corporate oversight, though Firesprite continues to recruit for narrative-driven projects on next-generation platforms.[10][8]