Sony plans to cut approximately 900 jobs across its gaming division, constituting about 8% of its global workforce. Read on to learn more about the statements provided by the CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment and Head of PlayStation Studios.
Sony Enacts Massive Restructuring Across Multiple Studios
Impacting Different Sony-Owned Game Studios Across the World
Announced yesterday, Sony's gaming division will lay off approximately 8% of its global workforce. The layoffs were attributed to industry changes and the company's commitment to meeting the expectations of developers and gamers alike.
The restructuring will impact regions across the Americas, Japan, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. In a blog post, Jim Ryan, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), emphasized the company's commitment to grow its business and develop the company.
"Through discussions over the past few months about the evolving economic landscape, changes in the way we develop, distribute, and launch products, and ensuring our organization is future ready in this rapidly changing industry," stated Ryan, "we have concluded that tough decisions have become inevitable."
Ryan also announced that PlayStation Studios’ London Studio will close in its entirety and that there will be job cuts in various functions across SIE in the UK. The layoffs came with the cancellation of a Twisted Metal live-service game that was under development at UK-based studio Firesprite—which will also suffer a round of layoffs, as reported by Bloomberg.
Similarly, other Sony-owned studios including Guerrilla Games, known for titles like Horizon Zero Dawn, was reported to be laying off 10% of its workfoce, affecting approximately 40 employees. Likewise, Insomniac Games and Naughty Dog, as well as PlayStation's technology, creative, and support teams, will also be affected by the wider restructuring program.
Cancels Several Projects in the Pipeline
Hermen Hulst, Head of PlayStation Studios, confirmed the cancellation of several unnamed projects and clarified that the decision to halt them was not a reflection of the talent of the teams involved.
"We looked at our studios and our portfolio, evaluating projects in various stages of development, and have decided that some of those projects will not move forward. I want to be clear that the decision to stop work on these projects is not a reflection on the talent or passion of team members," stated Hulst.
Source:
Jim Ryan's statement
Hermen Hulst's statement
Sony to lay off 900 workers in its PlayStation division
Bloomberg reports cancellation of Twisted Metal live-service game
Horizon studio Guerrilla is reportedly cutting 10% of its workforce
