My theory after I discovered SIEE creative director in Redhill on LinkedIn:
Sony closed Liverpool Studio in 2012.
"Unconfirmed reports state that Liverpool Studio was working on two PlayStation 4 titles when it was shutdown. The first was a next-gen WipEout, that was said to be "dramatically different" from past games in the series. The other was an unannounced "Splinter Cell-style game" that used motion capture technology similar to LA Noire."
Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe trademarked Syphon Filter for nearly two years ago. Not America.
I think action stealth team was moved to Redhill because the location was much cheaper than Liverpool. WipeOut team got axed and action stealth team was working on an original IP that was too similar to Syphon Filter in a refreshing way. They scrapped it and gave them Syphon Filter instead.
"BREAKING NEWS! UK is making games"
Plus Redhill is in Surrey which is close to Guildford (Media Molecule). London is also close to Surrey which is where SIEE HQ and London Studio operates.
I understand why they opened a VR studio in Manchester which is close to XDEV and it's cheaper to make VR games.
Cambridge is also a expensive location if your games don't even break which what Sony Cambridge was caused by with Primal and Ghosthunter. 24: Game was not even profitable to make with all actors like Keith Sutherland you paid. Katie Lea got married with Chris Sorrell and they moved to Canada. James Shepherd left the studio and so did Jason Wilson to write comics under JayGunn. That was the final nail in the coffin for the studio when it comes to create new things and you were left with none creative director.
Sony Cambridge become an assistant studio for Heavenly Sword and Killzone 2. Some small team worked on LBP for PSP and TV Superstars for PS3 with PS Moves. Even Sony understood this studio was weak and they merged them with Guerrilla Games. Nothing helped. Close this pointless studio in 2017 which is only eating up resources.
Sony Liverpool was pointless as well until I heard about a action stealth team. Where did they come from? This studio has only been a WipeOut and F1 factory up to PS3. WipeOut team is the original Psygnosis staff and the action stealth team must be completely new. The picture on the creative director on LinkedIn was probably in that team. I have never seen him before. They even used motion capture technology similar to LA Noire which Sony Liverpool or Psygnosis was never known for.