Sony has announced plans to lay off approximately 900 employees, constituting 8% of its PlayStation workforce globally.
Alongside reductions in the US and Japan, the company disclosed the complete closure of PlayStation’s London Studio.
In a blog post sharing an internal email with employees, CEO Jim Ryan described the decision as “sad news” and acknowledged the challenging nature of the situation, calling it “a difficult day at our company.”
He explained, “We have concluded that tough decisions have become inevitable,” emphasizing the necessity of restructuring operations despite the impact on talented individuals who contributed to the company’s success.
These layoffs come shortly after Microsoft’s announcement of its intention to lay off 1,900 employees in its gaming division, which includes personnel from the recently-acquired Activision-Blizzard.
Halli Bjornsson, head of UK developer Lockwood Publishing, noted the significance of Sony’s decision, particularly regarding the closure of the renowned Sony London studio, which has been a significant pillar of UK game development culture.
Reflecting on the broader context of industry shifts, Bjornsson highlighted the resilience of UK games talent and expressed optimism about rebounding and capitalizing on future opportunities.
Source-BBC
