900 employees affected across US, UK, Japan and other offices globally
Image via Sony Interactive
Sony announced Tuesday that it will lay off 8% of its global PlayStation workforce, including about 900 employees. The company cited the changing industry landscape, as well as the need to maintain its “long-term sustainability.” The layoffs will be implemented differently across its global operations.
Sony revealed in a company email that US employees affected by these changes will be notified immediately.
For its UK operations, PlayStation Studios’ London Studio will close, the FireSprite studio will see its workforce slashed and other parts of the company across the UK will see further cuts .
In Japan, a “follow-up career support program” will be launched. Other countries affected by this decision will be contacted separately.
The company also notes a “collective consultation” period due to these changes, during which selected employees will be made aware of the next steps and informed in advance. The final decision is made.
The news follows similar workforce changes in the tech and gaming industries over the past year. A GDC survey revealed in January that 35% of game developers surveyed had been affected by layoffs in the past 12 months (meaning they were laid off, their colleagues, or their teams). or other departments are also fired).
Hasbro cut about 20% of its workforce last year in a series of announcements. GameStop fired CEO Matthew Furlong last June.
Source: Sony Interactive Entertainment, Deadline (Jill Goldsmith)