Evening Star Studio Reportedly Developing New Ape Escape Game
Industry insiders suggest that Evening Star Studio, the indie developer behind Penny's Big Breakaway and known for work on Sonic Mania, is developing a revival of the classic Ape Escape franchise. A Reddit user citing credible sources claims the studio is handling the project, with circumstantial evidence including job postings for anime-styled character artists and the CEO's relocation to Tokyo. The studio's experience with 3D platformers and charming visual design makes them a plausible fit for bringing back Sony's dormant monkey-catching series.
Evening Star Studio has built its reputation primarily through its work on Sonic Mania, the 2017 platformer that successfully modernized a classic franchise. Since establishing as an independent entity, the team released Penny's Big Breakaway, a 3D platformer featuring stylized visuals and accessible yet innovative gameplay mechanics. The studio's technical capabilities align notably with what a modern Ape Escape revival would require, particularly given their demonstrated expertise with character animation and large-scale enemy encounters.
The circumstantial evidence linking Evening Star to the alleged project includes recent job postings seeking character artists experienced with anime aesthetics, and the relocation of CEO Dave Padilla to Tokyo in 2025. These details, combined with credible industry sources cited by a Reddit user familiar with gaming development communities, suggest timing that could align with a major franchise revival in development.
If confirmed, an Ape Escape revival could reinvigorate interest in a dormant PlayStation franchise among both nostalgic longtime players and new audiences. Such a project may impact indie developer visibility by demonstrating how smaller studios can successfully helm major IP revivals, potentially opening opportunities for other independent teams. Gaming consumers could benefit from expanded platformer options, though the rumor's unconfirmed status means expectations should remain measured until official announcements emerge.