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Sony has cut ties with PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale creator SuperBot Entertainment, just days after the development studio laid off a number of its staff.
All of the game's future content will be handled by Sony's internal studios.
"Sony Computer Entertainment can confirm that the working agreement with developer SuperBot Entertainment has amicably ended," a Sony representative told Kotaku. "We have had a positive working relationship with this talented studio, and wish them the best of success in their next endeavor. PlayStation All-Stars: Battle Royale and the title's forthcoming DLC releases will continue to be fully supported by Santa Monica Studio."
SuperBot, an independent developer started in 2009, released PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale for Vita and PlayStation 3 last fall. Two weeks ago, the company laid off a significant number of staff.
We've heard from one source that as a result of Sony's decision, SuperBot will have to shut down. We've reached out to the studio for comment and will update should we hear back.
UPDATE: In an e-mail, SuperBot's director of operations David Yang responded to Kotaku's request for comment, saying that the company is "excited about beginning the next chapter of [their] future."
The full statement follows:
SuperBot Entertainment can confirm that the relationship with SCEA has ended on good terms. We are extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to work on with Sony on Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale, and are extremely proud of the work we have done. SuperBot Entertainment will continue working on projects that reflect our passion for games and our commitment to creating award winning titles. We are very excited about beginning the next chapter of our future and invite all of our fans and supporters to follow our journey.
UPDATE 2: In response to a follow-up question about whether the studio will remain intact with all of its staff, Yang told Kotaku that there are no layoffs planned yet.
"We don't have a reduction plan as of yet, however it is unlikely we can continue with our current work force for an extended period of time," he said. "We are still working things out and hope to continue on with as many of us as possible."
