Sony Prioritizes 'Puppeteer' and 'Knack' Over 'The Last Guardian'

SCE Japan Studio is a busy and bustling place to be right now. While much smaller than other first party studios like Santa Monica Studios and Naughty Dog, the Japan-based developers are working on multiple titles currently which include Puppeteer for the PS3, Knack for the PS4, and The Last Guardian. According to Ico and Shadow of the Colossus creator Fumito Ueda, The Last Guardian is still in development though no details were given in regards to the platform. While the title was originally announced for the PS3 nearly four years ago, the game has been delayed numerous times. This has gotten many in the industry to assume that Sony eventually shifted the game’s development to the PS4 though no proof of this actually exists. What we have learned is why theres been such little news on the highly-anticipated title.

According to Ueda, the title is still under development and not cancelled or in hiatus. Ueda went on to say:

SCE Japan Studio, who’s working on The Last Guardian, also has titles like Puppeteer and Knack, and those are only the ones currently announced. Those are taking priority right now

With Knack as a showcase of the versatility of the PS4 and the Puppeteer having access to over 70 million gamers, it’s easy to see why Sony is focusing on those two titles and taking development resources away from The Last Guardian which, to be fair, would have access to the same user base as Puppeteer. However with such a long development time, Sony probably saw the pathway to a finished product with Puppeteer and Knack while The Last Guardian exists in a state of flux.

It should be noted that Ueda left SCE Japan Studio in December 2011 though he remains as a consultant and creative supervisor on The Last Guardian.