Sony's PS5 First-Party Pipeline Examined: Studio Closures, Long Waits, and a Wolverine Release Date

Halfway through 2026, Sony's PlayStation Studios are in a state of dramatic transition — producing some of the most anticipated games in the medium's history while simultaneously weathering studio closures, live-service stumbles, and a landmark decision to phase out physical disc production by January 2028. The year's only first-party release so far has been Housemarque's Saros, a follow-up to the critically beloved Returnal, and early sales reports suggest a lukewarm reception. That stands in stark contrast to strong third-party showings like Resident Evil Requiem and Crimson Desert, which have helped keep PS5 momentum alive.

Among the most significant shifts in Sony's internal landscape is the quiet closure of Bluepoint Games, the studio responsible for acclaimed remakes of Demon's Souls and Shadow of the Colossus. Their exit from PlayStation's portfolio is a notable loss for fans of high-fidelity reimaginings of classic titles. Additionally, Dark Outlaw Games — the studio formed by Call of Duty veteran Jason Blundell as recently as 2025 — reportedly shut its doors earlier this year, barely getting off the ground. These closures leave PlayStation's studio roster noticeably trimmed compared to just twelve months ago.

The most pressing release on the horizon comes from Insomniac Games, whose Marvel's Wolverine is set to launch September 15, 2026. After a damaging 2024 data breach that exposed the studio's internal roadmaps and future project details, Insomniac has spent years rebuilding momentum. Wolverine is described as a more linear experience than the open-world Spider-Man games, though early gameplay footage suggests the same polished combat that has defined Insomniac's Marvel work. A rumored Venom project, leaked during the breach, has not materialized.

Naughty Dog remains perhaps the most intriguing wildcard in Sony's lineup. Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, starring Tati Gabrielle as bounty hunter Jordan A. Mun, has been glimpsed only via a cinematic trailer at The Game Awards 2024, with no gameplay shown publicly despite a recent State of Play event coming and going without an appearance. The game features music by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross and reportedly includes more elaborate combat mechanics than any prior Naughty Dog title. Studio head Neil Druckmann has also hinted at a second unannounced project in development, fueling speculation about a potential Last of Us Part 3 or Uncharted revival.

Elsewhere, Santa Monica Studio unveiled God of War Laufey at June's State of Play, centering Kratos' wife Faye in a story that spans multiple mythologies and runs parallel to the 2018 game's timeline. Guerrilla Games is expected to be working on the third Horizon entry following Forbidden West's cliffhanger ending, with a multiplayer spin-off called Horizon: Hunters Gathering also confirmed. Meanwhile, Bungie — acquired for $3.6 billion in 2022 — continues to struggle, with Destiny 2 winding down and Marathon's March launch drawing critical praise but modest player numbers, underscoring Sony's ongoing difficulty with live-service execution.