Sony Interactive Entertainment revealed on Tuesday, layoff plans that could affect approximately 900 employees, including some from PlayStation Studios developers such as Guerrilla Games and Insomniac Games. PlayStation Studios is facing significant changes, with layoffs, downsizing, and a studio closure. PlayStation’s London Studio is reportedly shutting down entirely, a blow to the Sony’s first-party development division. These changes are all indicators of internal reshuffling for future growth, as Sony’s PlayStation business braces for the ever-evolving gaming initiative.
Impact on PlayStation Studios Developers
According to Hermen Hulst, head of PlayStation Studios, several developers will be impacted by the layoffs. Amongst the affected studios are: Insomniac Games, creators of the popular Marvel’s Spider-Man series; Naughty Dog, known for Uncharted and The Last of Us; Guerrilla Games, developers of the Horizon franchise; and Firesprite, which co-developed Horizon Call of the Mountain and other titles like The Persistence.
Complete Shutdown of London Studio
Sony has also confirmed the complete shutdown of PlayStation’s London Studio, a veteran game developer with over 22 years of history in the industry. It is known for creating the SingStar games and its most recent release, Erica, which was launched in 2019.
Leadership Reactions
In the wake of these job cuts, Hulst expressed his sorrow over the employees’ departure. “I am deeply saddened to see talented individuals leave the company,” he stated in the announcement. He iterated that PlayStation Studios will stay committed to evolving its franchises and continuing to deliver high-quality gaming experiences to fans.
Conversely, Sony Interactive Entertainment’s CEO, Jim Ryan, explained that the layoffs have come after careful considerations and numerous leadership discussions conducted over several months. He added, “Changes needed to be made for the continued growth and development of the company.”
Layoffs in the Gaming Industry
The trend of layoffs in the gaming industry has become more frequent since the past year. Companies like Epic Games and Xbox have also announced staff cuts. Epic reportedly laid off about 16% of its workforce, whereas Xbox shed around 1,900 jobs within months of acquiring Activision Blizzard.
Wrapping Up
Despite the unsettling layoffs, PlayStation Studios aims to continue expanding and enhancing its reach and resources. The company is focused on the long-term sustainability and delivering enriching gameplay experiences for its community. It’s a challenging episode for the employees affected by the layoffs, and the gaming industry at large, signaling a period of change and adjustments for these giants. For more information on updates in the gaming world, consider visiting HitPlay.
