Nearly three decades after cofounding the Washington-based game studio, Brian Fleming is stepping down as the head of Sucker Punch Productions. The studio best-known for the Ghost, Infamous, and Sly Cooper franchises will be run by Jason Connell and Adrian Bentley starting in 2026. Ghost of Yotei designer Nate Fox will remain co-creative director at the PlayStation first-party team.
Fleming’s
Here’s Sony’s full press release:
After nearly three decades helping bring to life iconic franchises like Sly Cooper, inFAMOUS, Ghost of Tsushima, and Ghost of Yōtei, Brian Fleming has announced he’s passing Sucker Punch studio leadership on to a new generation. 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.
Starting January 1, longtime creative and technical leaders Jason Connell and Adrian Bentley will step into new roles as studio heads, continuing to guide the team’s focus on ambitious, character-driven experiences that define PlayStation Studios.
Jason and Adrian have been instrumental in shaping the creative and technical direction of Sucker Punch in recent years. Jason, who served as Co-Creative Director on the Ghost franchise, has helped define the studio’s visual identity and storytelling style, bringing cinematic depth and emotional resonance to PlayStation players around the world.
Adrian, as Technical Director, has led the studio’s engineering and production efforts, driving innovation across development tools and game systems that make Sucker Punch’s worlds so immersive. Together, they represent the perfect blend of creative vision and technical excellence that has always set the studio apart.
Nate Fox will continue as Co-Creative Director to complete the overall creative leadership team.
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.
Sucker Punch has been part of the PlayStation family since 2000, consistently delivering unforgettable worlds and beloved characters to players around the world. From Sly Cooper’s playful charm to the bold, cinematic storytelling of “Ghost,” the studio’s commitment to innovation and quality continues to set the standard for what makes PlayStation experiences unique.
As Sucker Punch moves forward under Jason and Adrian’s leadership, the team remains dedicated to crafting new adventures that capture the imagination of players everywhere.