Sony ends agreement with Starhawk developer

Lightbox Interactive hit with layoffs, will return to mobile games

Posted on Oct 18, 2012 - 4:32pm EST

Starhawk developer Lightbox Interactive has laid off 24 employees this week, as Sony has terminated its agreement with the studio.

The layoffs of 24 employees were confirmed by Lightbox founder Dylan Jobe, who says the layoffs are a part of shift in product strategy returning the developer to a small, focused indie-style team with a iOS game on the way.

Lightbox had a multi-title agreement with Sony Computer Entertainment America, but an SCEA spokeperson has said that the agreement has been ended. "Sony Computer Entertainment can confirm that it has amicably ended its working agreement with developer LightBox Interactive, Inc. We have had a positive and long-standing working relationship with this talented studio, and wish them the best of success in their next endeavor. Starhawk and Warhawk will continue to be supported by Santa Monica Studio."

Starhawk released in May of 2012, and most recently the offline campaign was released as free to play for PSN+ subscribers. For more on the game, read our Starhawk Review.