In the sad continuation of the end of 2023, the year 2024 began with numerous layoffs in the video game industry. And unfortunately this does not seem ready to stop, since Sony announced today the layoffs of 900 employees. No studio is specifically targeted, all companies around the world are affected. This means that 8% of the PlayStation workforce is being let go, in the interests of economy.
Worse still, in the email addressed to employees, and communicated publicly, Sony reveals that in addition to these 900 licensees, PlayStation Studio London is closing its doors. In addition, the Firesprite studio (Run Sackboy! Run!, Horizon Call of the Mountain) sees its workforce reduced. In the United States, licensees will receive an email to notify them, while in the rest of the world discussions will be initiated to evaluate employees. It remains to be seen whether measures will be taken outside Japan to help licensees.
“The PlayStation community means everything to us, so I thought it was important to update you on this difficult day in our company. We have taken the extremely difficult decision to announce our intention to begin reducing our overall workforce globally by approximately 8%, or approximately 900 people, subject to local legislation and consultation processes. Employees around the world, including our studios, are affected. »
Jim Ryan, President & CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment
The chapter of large-scale layoffs is therefore not over. And if Embracer Group and Microsoft still hold a hell of a record, the industry continues to suffer heavy losses. Sega America also has a wave of layoffs expected on March 8. But these kinds of stories are likely to continue for a while yet.