According to Neowin, Sony Interactive Entertainment announced a partnership with Bad Robot Games, the video game division of JJ Abrams’ production company, to publish a new four-player cooperative game. The project will be directed by the studio’s Chief Creative Officer, Mike Booth, who was the designer of the hit horde shooter Left 4 Dead. The game is currently untitled and represents Bad Robot Games’ first internally developed title. Anna Sweet, CEO of Bad Robot Games, and Christian Svensson, VP at Sony Interactive Entertainment, both commented on the partnership’s potential for innovation. The companies confirmed the co-op experience will be released for both PlayStation 5 and PC platforms.
A Left 4 Dead reunion of sorts
Here’s the thing: getting the original designer of Left 4 Dead back on a co-op shooter is a huge deal. That game, and its sequel, basically defined a genre for a generation. They weren’t about complex loot or deep RPG systems; they were about pure, chaotic fun with friends. The fact that Mike Booth is at the creative helm is the single most important piece of info here. It tells you the vibe they’re going for, even if we don’t know a single detail about the setting or enemies. But can he recapture that magic in 2025 and beyond? That’s the billion-dollar question.
Sony’s publishing play
This move is really interesting for Sony. They’re not just funding a first-party studio here; they’re acting as a publisher for an external team with serious Hollywood pedigree. Look at their recent wins: Helldivers 2 was a massive, breakout success on both PS5 and PC. It seems like Sony is doubling down on the “premium co-op shooter” space as a core part of its strategy. Partnering with Bad Robot gives them a project with instant name recognition and a proven creative lead, which is a much safer bet than starting from absolute scratch.
The big unknown: live service or campaign?
The article points out we don’t know if this will be a live-service title like Helldivers 2 or a more contained campaign like Left 4 Dead. And that’s the crucial distinction. My gut says it’ll lean live-service. Why? Because that’s where the long-term money is, and Sony’s clearly all-in on that model. But a big part of Left 4 Dead’s charm was its tight, replayable campaigns. Trying to graft a live-service economy onto that pure formula could ruin it. I think the ideal scenario is a hybrid: a solid, story-driven core experience with room for ongoing content. Basically, they need to avoid the pitfalls of endless grind while keeping players coming back.
What it means for players
For gamers, this is just good news. More competition in the co-op space is always welcome. We’ve had gems like Deep Rock Galactic and, yes, Helldivers 2, but the genre still feels underserved. A new title from a veteran designer, backed by Sony’s budget, has the potential to be something special. The PC/PS5 day-one release is also the right call—it acknowledges that the co-op community lives across platforms. Now we play the waiting game. With no name or release window, it’s clear this is an early announcement. But the pieces on the board? They’re very, very promising.
