LogInThe layoffs impacted employees across the entire globe.
Image Credit: SIE
Sony Interactive Entertainment's PlayStation division has, unfortunately, joined the troubling trend that has gained popularity among game development studios and tech giants in recent months, announcing the layoff of 900 employees, constituting roughly 8% of their global workforce, across teams from the Americas, EMEA, Japan, and APAC.
In an official announcement shared by SIE President and CEO, Jim Ryan, the decision to terminate nearly a thousand employees was explained as essential for preparing the business for future endeavors and meeting the expectations of developers and gamers.
Following the standard protocol, the layoffs were described as "hard", and the dismissed personnel was "talented", nevertheless, it seems that their talents were deemed unnecessary to "continue bringing the best gaming experiences to the community" by the company.
"These are incredibly talented people who have been part of our success, and we are very grateful for their contributions," reads the official announcement. "However, the industry has changed immensely, and we need to future ready ourselves to set the business up for what lies ahead. We need to deliver on expectations from developers and gamers and continue to propel future technology in gaming, so we took a step back to ensure we are set up to continue bringing the best gaming experiences to the community."
Additionally, it was unveiled in an email sent to PlayStation employees by Ryan that PlayStation Studios' London Studio, which worked on several of the company's VR projects, will close in its entirety. Firesprite, the studio acquired by PlayStation in 2021 and currently developing a AAA narrative-driven horror-adventure game powered by Unreal Engine 5, will also experience reductions.
Image Credit: PlayStation London Studio
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