Sucker Punch co-founder Brian Fleming is leaving after 28 years

Sucker Punch co-founder Brian Fleming is leaving the studio after 28 years.

Fleming will be “passing Sucker Punch studio leadership on to a new generation,” with Jason Connell and Adrian Bentley taking over as co-studio heads on January 1, 2026.

Sucker Punch has been part of the PlayStation family of studios since 2000. In a statement, Sony said: “Over the past year, Brian has worked closely with PlayStation Studios to ensure that Sucker Punch was in the best hands moving forward with a strong foundation for the studio’s continued success.

“Brian’s vision and leadership have shaped the studio’s culture of creativity and collaboration and established a foundation that Jason, Adrian, and the entire team will build on as they look to the future.”

“I leave Sucker Punch in the capable hands of the strongest leadership team we’ve ever had – Adrian and Jason will do an amazing job as Studio Heads,” Fleming posted on LinkedIn.

“And the rest of the directors – Nate, Joanna, Billy, Gail, Parker, Sonia, Rob etc… They are all so capable and so READY for new challenges that I have nothing but confidence the studio will continue to flourish.”

Fleming will stay at Sucker Punch until April to aid the “transition,” after which he wants to spend some time travelling with his family.

He also hopes to “explore” more opportunities, “some industry, some tech, some entertainment, and some advocacy/politics stuff [are] all part of the space I’m thinking hard about.”