Three of PlayStation’s longest-dormant franchises may be coming back — and possibly not from Sony’s own studios. Per TheGamer, an insider with a credible track record claims PlayStation is accepting third-party pitches for new Sly Cooper, Killzone and Ape Escape games. Sony hasn’t commented, so file this firmly under rumor — but the claim is the strongest signal yet that the classic-franchise revival talk is turning into an actual initiative.
Who’s Claiming What
The rumor chain starts with insider NateTheHate, who claimed earlier this week that Ape Escape is indeed coming back — but not with Team Asobi at the helm, as many assumed. Then thisiserfan, who notably leaked Sons of Sparta before it was revealed, commented on a ResetEra thread about that claim: Ape Escape is one of three series PlayStation is taking pitches for from third parties. The other two? Killzone and Sly Cooper. A new Killzone had already been discussed this week; Sly Cooper is brand-new information. The claim surfaced via the GamingLeaksAndRumours subreddit.
Why It Plausibly Adds Up
For years — especially after the success of Astro Bot — PlayStation has been rumored to be weighing revivals of classic franchises that have gone long without a new game, and Sly Cooper and Ape Escape are the two brought up most. There’s supporting smoke: new Sly Cooper merchandise is reportedly in the works, and Sneaky Devil Studios — formed by members of Sanzaru Games, the studio behind Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time — would be a natural fit for a new Sly. thisiserfan also believes we’ll see “the first wave of this new initiative” around the PS6 launch window, which means a potentially long wait.
None of this is confirmed, and insider claims miss as often as they hit. But if Sony really is taking outside pitches for Sly Cooper, Killzone and Ape Escape, the classic PlayStation catalog could be about to get a lot less dormant — and Jak fans can keep hoping their turn comes too.