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Head of Sony London VR Studio leaves for “independent development”

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Head of Sony London departs from studio

Virtual Reality is meant to be the big splash gimmick of 2016, even if the high-price points of devices such as the Oculus Rift are only making it viable for a small percentage of players. Sony has yet to announce a release date and price for their PlayStation VR headset, but they’ve not been shy with showing off the many titles being developed for launch. Some of the more promising games are coming from in-house studio Sony London – which has just lost its head honcho.

Developer of VR titles such as the incredibly immersive London Heist, Sony London has been at the forefront of Sony’s VR development from the word go. Which makes the departure of Studio Head Dr. Dave Ranyard all the more puzzling, as he seems to be seeking out more independent development to not miss out on the VR explosion.

2016 is going to be the year of VR so it’s the perfect time for me to take this step into independent development. The emergence of a new medium like VR doesn’t come along very often and I really want to be a part of this new world.

What’s confusing here is Ranyard’s wording. He definitely believes that VR is going to be the emerging technology in 2016, and it’s clear he doesn’t want to miss out on the boom. One would assume that being part of one of Sony’s biggest VR studios would offer that chance, but it seems that his creative freedom wasn’t let loose. That, or Sony London suddenly started work on less VR-focused titles.

Ranyard has been a massive part of Sony’s past augmented reality projects and their research into VR, working on projects including EyeToy, Singstar, Wonderbook and The Getaway. It’s clear that his leadership at Sony London will be missed, but it’s also going to be intriguing to see what he manages to cook up with a new and unhinged team.

PlayStation VR is expected to launch sometime in Q2.

Last Updated: February 11, 2016

No Comments

  1. Did he “depart” after they removed his head with a blow torch? Because that’s what the header image & its alt-text suggests. :/

    Reply

    • Commander Admiral Chief

      February 11, 2016 at 11:11

      Not a preferred death I’d say

      Reply

    • RinceThis

      February 11, 2016 at 11:21

      No silly. He left to become a welder, DUH!

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        February 11, 2016 at 11:24

        Weld with a blow torch? Pass the meth once you’re done

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          February 11, 2016 at 11:25

          Now we know why Rince won’t star in the MacGyver reboots.

          Reply

          • Commander Admiral Chief

            February 11, 2016 at 11:26

            I thought it was because he lacks all sense of masculinity?

          • HvR

            February 11, 2016 at 11:27

            And that MacGyver puts a lot of soul into his inventions

          • Commander Admiral Chief

            February 11, 2016 at 11:27

            Oh snap…

          • RinceThis

            February 11, 2016 at 11:30

            tehehe

          • Hammersteyn

            February 11, 2016 at 11:28

            And a mullet

          • HvR

            February 11, 2016 at 11:28

            RED MULLET !?!?!?!?

            *Pukes into his coffee cup

          • Hammersteyn

            February 11, 2016 at 11:30

            LOL!

          • RinceThis

            February 11, 2016 at 11:31

            Job done!

          • Commander Admiral Chief

            February 11, 2016 at 11:34

            There goes my appetite for 2016

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            February 11, 2016 at 11:28

            That’s not true. He’s very masculine…….. bwhahahahahha sorry, I couldn’t keep a straight face.

          • Hammersteyn

            February 11, 2016 at 11:28

            XD

          • RinceThis

            February 11, 2016 at 11:32

            Yeah, cus MacGyver was known for that 😛

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            February 11, 2016 at 11:33

            That’s a good point. I don’t remember him punching anyone, he’d defeat them with whacky gadgets – like a grown up Dennis the Menace.

          • HvR

            February 11, 2016 at 11:34

            He has a killer round house punch

          • Commander Admiral Chief

            February 11, 2016 at 11:34

            LOL

          • Hammersteyn

            February 11, 2016 at 11:36

            Bwahahaha seems legit. Not sure Rince can reach that height though

          • RinceThis

            February 11, 2016 at 11:42

            You’d rather I round house you in the dick? 0_O Okay. Sicko…

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            February 11, 2016 at 11:45

            50 Shades of Hammer.

          • Commander Admiral Chief

            February 11, 2016 at 11:52

            Wow, you must be deadly accurate hitting such a…..limited target

          • Hammersteyn

            February 11, 2016 at 11:55

            Hell no, I’d rather fight you on my knees… wait what?

          • Commander Admiral Chief

            February 11, 2016 at 11:58

            O____O

          • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

            February 11, 2016 at 11:37

            HAHAHAHAHA!!!! That scream!!!

          • RinceThis

            February 11, 2016 at 11:42

            I think he was one of the first ‘heros’ who never used a gun was physically violent.

          • RinceThis

            February 11, 2016 at 11:30

            I can do anything!

        • RinceThis

          February 11, 2016 at 11:31

          You mean you can’t? Beginner…

          Reply

          • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

            February 11, 2016 at 12:28

            Welding with a blowtorch? Mac made explosives from chewing gum, listening devices from paper clips and rocket propelled boats from coffins…

  2. Hammersteyn

    February 11, 2016 at 11:17

    I think he may have gotten “ahead” of himself

    Reply

    • The Sten

      February 11, 2016 at 11:27

      Reply

    • RinceThis

      February 11, 2016 at 11:30

      get in the corner

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        February 11, 2016 at 11:32

        I’ll use your “welder” to get out 😛

        Reply

        • RinceThis

          February 11, 2016 at 11:44

          Apparently you don’t know how to! 😛

          Reply

  3. Pieter Kruger

    February 11, 2016 at 13:36

    He’s probably also just gatvol,of all the Indies……..????

    Reply

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