Bigbig Studios

Bigbig Studios was a British video-game development studio based in Leamington Spa, England. Established in 2001 by a core team of four former Codemasters employees, the studio was created with support from Evolution Studios, another developer associated with racing and action-oriented console games. Its early formation placed it within the broader development community around Codemasters and Evolution Studios, while its later ownership connected it directly to Sony's PlayStation organization. The studio became part of Sony Computer Entertainment in September 2007, when Sony acquired both Bigbig Studios and Evolution Studios. Following the acquisition, Bigbig Studios was assigned to work exclusively on portable PlayStation products. This mandate shaped the studio's identifiable body of work: it developed games for the PlayStation Portable (PSP), and later contributed to the launch-period software lineup of the PlayStation Vita. Bigbig Studios' best-known work was the Pursuit Force series for PSP, an action-focused franchise built around high-speed vehicle chases, armed confrontations, and the ability to move between vehicles during missions. The studio also developed MotorStorm: Arctic Edge, a portable entry in Sony's MotorStorm racing franchise. The game was released for both PSP and PlayStation 2, extending the series' off-road racing format to a colder Arctic setting. Its final major release was Little Deviants for PlayStation Vita, a collection of touch- and motion-oriented minigames designed to demonstrate the handheld's new hardware features. On 10 January 2012, Sony confirmed that it would close Bigbig Studios. The closure ended the studio's independent operating identity within Sony and brought its relatively short but focused history as a PlayStation portable developer to an end. The available reference material does not identify a separate successor brand, a continuing website, or individual studio executives.

Bigbig Studios was founded in 2001 in Leamington Spa, England, by a core team of four former Codemasters employees. The studio was established with assistance from Evolution Studios, a development company associated with Sony's later acquisition and with which Bigbig Studios shared a regional and corporate connection. The early studio's work was oriented toward console and handheld game development, although the available reference material does not provide a complete account of its pre-acquisition projects. A major change came in September 2007, when Sony Computer Entertainment acquired both Bigbig Studios and Evolution Studios. Bigbig Studios subsequently operated as part of Sony's PlayStation development structure. Sony assigned it to work exclusively on portable PlayStation products, giving the studio a defined role within the company's first-party software portfolio. This arrangement also distinguished Bigbig Studios from broader independent developers by tying its output to Sony hardware and publishing priorities. The studio's most prominent series was Pursuit Force on the PlayStation Portable. These games combined driving, shooting, and action mechanics, with missions structured around pursuit sequences and combat involving multiple vehicles. Bigbig Studios also developed MotorStorm: Arctic Edge, a portable-oriented installment of Sony's MotorStorm franchise. The title brought the series' off-road racing concept to an Arctic environment and was released for both PSP and PlayStation 2. Bigbig Studios later worked on Little Deviants for PlayStation Vita. The title was designed as a collection of short interactive challenges that used the Vita's touch, rear touch, camera, and motion capabilities. It therefore represented a shift from the studio's earlier vehicle-action and racing projects toward software intended to showcase the features of Sony's next-generation handheld. On 10 January 2012, Sony confirmed that it would close Bigbig Studios. The closure ended the studio's work as a Sony-owned PlayStation developer. Publicly available reference material identifies the studio's principal games and ownership milestones but does not establish a detailed list of executives, a separate post-closure successor, or a continuing corporate operation.

• 2012

  Closure confirmed

  [1]Bigbig Studiosen.wikipedia.org

  Sony confirmed the closure of Bigbig Studios on 10 January 2012.

• 2007

  Acquired by Sony Computer Entertainment

  [1]Bigbig Studiosen.wikipedia.org

  Sony Computer Entertainment acquired Bigbig Studios and Evolution Studios in September 2007. Bigbig Studios was then dedicated to portable PlayStation development.

• 2001

  Studio founded in Leamington Spa

  [1]Bigbig Studiosen.wikipedia.org

  Bigbig Studios was established in England by a core team of four former Codemasters employees, with assistance from Evolution Studios.

A first-party-aligned British game developer focused on exclusive software for Sony's portable PlayStation platforms.

• Action game

  Pursuit Force

  A PlayStation Portable action game centered on high-speed pursuits, vehicle combat, and transfers between moving vehicles. It became one of Bigbig Studios' defining projects and established the studio's association with fast-paced portable action software.

• Action game

  Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice

  A follow-up to Pursuit Force for the PlayStation Portable. It continued the series' focus on pursuit missions, vehicle-based combat, and cinematic action set pieces.

• Racing game

  MotorStorm: Arctic Edge

  A portable entry in Sony's MotorStorm off-road racing franchise. Developed for the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 2, it relocated the series' vehicle competition to an Arctic environment and broadened Bigbig Studios' portfolio beyond action games.

• Compilation of minigames

  Little Deviants

  A PlayStation Vita title composed of short interactive challenges. Its design made use of the handheld's touch, motion, and other hardware capabilities, positioning it as an early software showcase for the Vita platform.

• 2012

  Studio closureStrategy

  Background

  Sony confirmed the closure of Bigbig Studios on 10 January 2012.

  Action taken

  Sony shut down the Leamington Spa studio and ended Bigbig Studios' operation as a distinct development brand.

  Aftermath

  Bigbig Studios became defunct; the available reference does not specify staff destinations or a successor organization.

  Source

• 2007

  Sony acquisition and portable-platform mandateM&A

  Background

  Sony Computer Entertainment acquired Bigbig Studios and Evolution Studios in September 2007 as part of its expansion of internal PlayStation development capacity.

  Action taken

  Sony placed Bigbig Studios within its first-party development structure and assigned it to work exclusively on portable PlayStation products.

  Aftermath

  The studio's subsequent identified releases focused on PSP, PlayStation 2 support for MotorStorm: Arctic Edge, and PlayStation Vita software.

  Source

• 2012

  Sony confirms the closure of Bigbig Studios[1]Bigbig Studiosen.wikipedia.org

  Bankruptcy · Leadership change

  Sony confirmed on 10 January 2012 that Bigbig Studios would close, ending the operation of the Leamington Spa development studio.

• 2007

  Sony acquires Bigbig Studios and Evolution Studios[1]Bigbig Studiosen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Sony Computer Entertainment acquired Bigbig Studios and Evolution Studios in September 2007. After the transaction, Bigbig Studios was assigned to develop exclusively for portable PlayStation products.

1. 1Bigbig Studiosen.wikipedia.org