Everybody’s Golf dev ends 20 years of PlayStation exclusivity with Apple Arcade shift

Everybody’s Golf studio Clap Hanz has released a surprise Apple Arcade game, ending more than 20 years as a PlayStation exclusive developer.

Clap Hanz was founded in 1998 and spent its first two decades working with Sony Interactive Entertainment on Everybody’s Golf and its Tennis and VR spin-offs. In total, the studio released 13 instalments across every PlayStation console.

On Friday, many were surprised to see the studio release a game for Apple’s Arcade service. Clap Hanz Golf is available now on the iOS subscription service, promising several modes (including local multiplayer) and colourful characters reminiscent of its previous series.

The release comes the same week Sony effectively dissolved its Japan Studio, the developer known for creating original games such as Knack, Gravity Rush and Ape Escape.

Dozens of employees have confirmed their departures over the past months, and VGC understands the majority of its original game developers have left the studio.

VGC sources revealed in February that Sony was planning to wind down the Japan Studio, with the majority of its development staff being let go and the remaining staff being absorbed into Team ASOBI, the creative team behind Astro’s Playroom.

Sony later confirmed this in a statement, saying: “In an effort to further strengthen business operations, SIE can confirm PlayStation Studios Japan Studio will be re-organized into a new organization on April 1.

“Japan Studio will be re-centered to Team ASOBI, the creative team behind Astro’s Playroom, allowing the team to focus on a single vision and build on the popularity of Astro’s Playroom.”

Clap Hanz Golf is one of 30 games added to the Apple Arcade service on Friday, as part of what Apple’s called the service’s “biggest expansion” to date.

Fantasian, the highly anticipated RPG from Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi, is one such original title to join Apple Arcade. PlatinumGames also released action game World of Demons.