PlayStation has announced the layoff of 900 employees, including the developers of Marvel's Spider-Man and The Last of Us games
Approximately 900 people will lose their jobs at PlayStation, representing roughly eight per cent of their workforce. This does not come as a complete surprise given the ongoing trend of mass layoffs in the tech and gaming industries.
Here's What We Know
Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) CEO Jim Ryan explained these changes as a necessity for business development and long-term sustainability. The layoffs will affect several PlayStation studios, including Naughty Dog, Insomniac Games, and Guerrilla Games, and will have an impact on the development of some projects.
Although the layoffs have not been finalised, a number of studios around the world, including Dutch Guerrilla Games and UK studios, are at risk. It is noted that the staff cuts are aimed at "optimising PlayStation's resources" and ensuring the company's continued success.
I'll be brief here.
- Bread Cat Dev (@CatDevQA) 27 February 2024
I worked at Firesprite for 3 years before & after the acquisition.
The studio was only acquired a few years ago, & yet Sony now announce they'll be laying off my employees for no other reason than "financial".
This shouldn't be happening. This is not ok. pic.twitter.com/mdKX5YoVsN
Employees affected by these layoffs will receive severance pay, and a career support programme will be introduced for employees in Japan. The layoffs at PlayStation are part of a general trend of mass layoffs in the gaming industry. This year alone, more than 6,500 people working in the industry have already lost their jobs.
Source: Mashable
