Sony announces 900 layoffs as London studio closes and several studios cut staff

Jim Ryan President and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment until April 1 announced on the PlayStation blog workforce reduction of 8%, affecting approximately 900 people from all faculties, including studies. This means closure London studio and it was known that this affected several of the company’s major research projects, Games for insomnia (Marvel Spider-Man) Playful puppy (The Last of Us) and Guerrilla games (Horizon).

Ryan emphasizes the value of his employees, which he talks about: “incredibly talented people who have contributed to our success and we are very grateful for their contributions. However, the sector has changed a lot and we have to We are preparing for what awaits us.

We must meet the expectations of developers and players and continue to develop the gaming technologies of the future, so we took a step back to make sure we are ready to continue offering best gaming experience society.”

The blog post includes a letter that Ryan sent to employees in which he details what the workforce reductions mean at various sites. A London studio that began working on cutting-edge PlayStation technology and specialized in recent years is closing in the UK. in virtual reality, and there will be layoffs in the studio Fire Sprite (Horizon: Call of the Mountain), who was rumored to be working on the horror adventure and reboot twisted metal.

“While these are difficult times, they do not reflect a lack of strength in our company, our brand or our industry,” Jim Ryan says in a letter to employees.

Hard times

Ryan ends the letter with a reflection: “Although these These are hard times This is not a sign of a lack of strength in our company, our brand, or our industry. Our goal is to continue to be flexible and adaptable

and continue to focus on delivering the best gaming experience now and in the future.”

Financial results for the last quarter of 2023 led Sony to reduce PS5 sales forecast 25 to 21 million before the end of the financial year, March 31, and showed decrease in business operating profitability in video games by 3% compared to the same period the previous year, which was likely the reason for this movement.

7,000 layoffs in two months of 2024

Yes in It is estimated that approximately 10,000 positions will be lost by 2023. jobs in the video game industry, 2024 will leave her with nothing, given that before these layoffs were announced, the page layoffs in the gaming industry, which collects lost positions in the sector registered 6100, this means that now 7,000 layoffs in two months.