989 Studios

Background
989 Studios was an American development branch of Sony Computer Entertainment focused on both PlayStation titles and PC games, founded in August 1995 as "Sony Interactive Studios America" (known on-screen as "Sony Computer Entertainment America"), which itself was formed by the merger of Sony Imagesoft with the development branch of Sony Computer Entertainment. In 1998, it was relaunched as "989 Studios". In 2000, it was dissolved into Sony Computer Entertainment of America; however, the 989 Sports label continued to be used until 2006.

(1998-2000)


Logo: On a black background, the numbers "9", "8" and "9" along with two half-circle lines and the word "STUDIOS" comes down, then the "TM" symbol comes up fast from the right to finish the logo and make it shine.

Technique: The logo forming together and the "TM" symbol moving fast from the right to finish the logo.

Music/Sounds: A dark backbeat is heard with a male announcer saying "989 Studios", ending in a loud bang. On some games, if you listen very closely, you can hear the last note from the PlayStation boot screen's music as well.

Availability: Seen on PlayStation video games, such as Rally Cross 2, Syphon Filter 1 and 2, Twisted Metal III, Cool Boarders 3, and other 989 Studios games. It also appeared on the demo of Xena: Warrior Princess (found on the Jampack Summer '99 demo disc before the publishing rights went to Electronic Arts).