One of PlayStation’s most important studio leaders is stepping aside. Brian Fleming, co-founder and studio head of Sucker Punch Productions, announced he’s passing leadership to a new generation after 28 years at the helm. Starting January 1, 2026, longtime creative and technical leaders Jason Connell and Adrian Bentley will take over as co-studio heads, continuing to guide the team behind Ghost of Tsushima, Infamous, and Sly Cooper.
The End of an Era
Fleming co-founded Sucker Punch in 1997 alongside Bruce Oberg, Darrell Plank, Tom and Cathy Saxton, and Chris Zimmerman after leaving Microsoft. What started as a small independent studio in Washington became one of PlayStation’s most consistent and creative first-party developers. Under Fleming’s leadership, Sucker Punch created three distinct franchises that each left their mark on gaming history.
The studio’s first major success came with Sly Cooper, a charming platformer series about a gentlemen thief raccoon and his crew. Sony published the games, beginning a partnership that would define both companies for decades. The relationship deepened with the Infamous series starting in 2009, delivering superhero power fantasy in open-world settings. After Infamous 2 in 2011, Sony acquired Sucker Punch outright, making them an official PlayStation Studios developer.
Ghost of Tsushima Changed Everything
Under Sony ownership, Sucker Punch spent years crafting their most ambitious project yet. Ghost of Tsushima launched in 2020 to critical and commercial success, selling millions of copies and winning numerous awards. The game transported players to feudal Japan during the Mongol invasion, combining gorgeous visuals with satisfying swordplay and a compelling story about honor versus survival.
Ghost of Tsushima proved Sucker Punch could handle large-scale open-world games with the same creative vision that defined their earlier work. The success led to a sequel, Ghost of Yotei, which launched in October 2025. The game reviewed well, earning an 8/10 from IGN, and sold 3.3 million copies as of early November. A New Game Plus mode released just weeks ago, showing continued post-launch support.
Meet the New Leadership
Jason Connell and Adrian Bentley aren’t outsiders parachuting in to run Sucker Punch. They’re longtime studio veterans who’ve been instrumental in shaping the company’s creative and technical direction for years. Connell joined Sucker Punch in 2010 as a lighting artist and worked his way up through multiple roles, eventually becoming co-creative director on the Ghost franchise. He’s helped define the studio’s visual identity and storytelling style, bringing cinematic depth to PlayStation players worldwide.
Bentley came to Sucker Punch fresh out of DigiPen Institute of Technology in 2004 as a programmer and has worked there his entire career. He’s moved up through various technical roles to become Technical Director, leading the studio’s engineering and production efforts. His work on development tools and game systems has been crucial to making Sucker Punch’s worlds feel immersive and responsive. Together, they represent a blend of creative vision and technical excellence.
Continuity at the Top
Nate Fox, who directed Ghost of Yotei, will continue as co-creative director to complete the overall creative leadership team. This ensures continuity in the studio’s creative direction while allowing fresh perspectives to shape its future. Fleming spent the past year working closely with PlayStation Studios to ensure the transition would be smooth, establishing a strong foundation for continued success.
With Fleming’s departure, only Bruce Oberg and Chris Zimmerman remain from the original co-founders. However, the studio appears to be in excellent hands. Sony’s announcement emphasizes that Jason and Adrian have been shaping Sucker Punch’s direction for years, meaning this isn’t a radical change but rather a natural evolution of existing leadership.
What Comes Next for Sucker Punch
The big question is what Sucker Punch will work on after Ghost of Yotei. Will they continue the Ghost franchise with a third entry, or is it time to create something entirely new? The studio has historically taken breaks between franchises, moving from Sly Cooper to Infamous and then to Ghost. With new leadership comes the opportunity for fresh creative directions.
Fleming hands off the studio in what appears to be a strong position. Multiple successful franchises, critical acclaim, commercial success, and a solid internal culture of creativity and collaboration. The transition seems carefully planned rather than rushed, with a full year of preparation to ensure stability. Sony clearly values Sucker Punch as a key PlayStation Studios developer.
Fleming’s Legacy
Twenty-eight years is an extraordinary tenure in the game industry, where burnout and studio closures are common. Fleming’s leadership created an environment where talented people wanted to stay and grow their careers. The fact that the new studio heads both have decade-plus tenures at Sucker Punch speaks to the culture Fleming helped build.
His legacy includes three beloved franchises, dozens of talented developers who learned their craft at Sucker Punch, and a studio culture that prioritizes creativity and collaboration. Whether he stays in the game industry or pursues other interests, Fleming has left an indelible mark on PlayStation gaming.
A Planned Transition
Unlike many leadership departures that feel sudden or forced, Fleming’s exit appears genuinely planned and positive. Sony’s announcement emphasizes the year of preparation, the strong foundation, and the capable hands taking over. Fleming himself will remain until the end of April 2026 to help with the transition, ensuring no institutional knowledge is lost during the handoff.
This kind of graceful exit is unfortunately rare in gaming. Too often, studio founders leave under clouds of controversy, acquisitions, or studio closures. Fleming gets to leave on his own terms, with the studio he built thriving and its future secure. That’s the best possible outcome after nearly three decades of leadership.
FAQs
Why is Brian Fleming leaving Sucker Punch?
After 28 years leading the studio, Fleming decided it’s time to pass leadership to a new generation. The departure appears to be planned and positive, with Fleming spending the past year preparing for the transition with PlayStation Studios.
Who will run Sucker Punch after Brian Fleming?
Jason Connell and Adrian Bentley will take over as co-studio heads starting January 1, 2026. Both are longtime Sucker Punch veterans with over a decade each at the studio. Nate Fox will continue as co-creative director.
What games did Sucker Punch make under Brian Fleming?
Under Fleming’s leadership, Sucker Punch created the Sly Cooper series, the Infamous series, Ghost of Tsushima in 2020, and Ghost of Yotei in 2025. All became successful PlayStation franchises.
When did Brian Fleming found Sucker Punch?
Fleming co-founded Sucker Punch Productions in 1997 alongside Bruce Oberg, Darrell Plank, Tom and Cathy Saxton, and Chris Zimmerman after leaving Microsoft.
Is Brian Fleming staying in the game industry?
Fleming hasn’t announced his next move. He will remain at Sucker Punch until the end of April 2026 to help with the leadership transition before moving on to whatever comes next.
Who is Jason Connell?
Jason Connell joined Sucker Punch in 2010 as a lighting artist and worked his way up to co-creative director on the Ghost franchise. He’s helped define the studio’s visual identity and storytelling style.
Who is Adrian Bentley?
Adrian Bentley joined Sucker Punch as a programmer in 2004 fresh out of DigiPen Institute of Technology and has worked there his entire career. As Technical Director, he’s led engineering and production efforts for the studio’s game systems.
What will Sucker Punch work on next?
That hasn’t been announced yet. With Ghost of Yotei recently released, it’s unclear if the studio will continue the Ghost franchise or create something entirely new under the new leadership.
Conclusion
Brian Fleming’s departure from Sucker Punch marks the end of a remarkable 28-year run that helped shape PlayStation gaming. From Sly Cooper’s charming platforming to Infamous’s superhero power fantasy to Ghost of Tsushima’s feudal Japan, Fleming’s studio consistently delivered quality experiences with distinct creative visions. The fact that he gets to leave on his own terms, with the studio thriving and in capable hands, is a testament to both his leadership and the culture he built. Jason Connell and Adrian Bentley inherit a studio with a strong foundation, talented team, and proven track record of success. While it’s the end of one chapter, it’s clearly the beginning of another. The Ghost franchise proves Sucker Punch can evolve and take on new challenges, and with fresh leadership comes the opportunity for new creative directions. Whatever comes next, Sucker Punch remains one of PlayStation’s most important studios, and that’s the legacy Brian Fleming leaves behind.