Sucker Punch Productions has confirmed layoffs affecting 24 workers, a significant reduction for a studio with roughly 200 employees. The cuts come just weeks after the release of the well-received Ghost of Yōtei expansion and just days before parent company Sony's quarterly earnings report. In a memo to staff, the studio cited market challenges and team needs for the next project as the driving factors.
The developer stated it did not make the decision lightly and is supporting affected colleagues during the transition. Ghost of Yōtei launched in October and sold 3.3 million copies in its first month, though it will remain a PS5 exclusive and will not receive a PC port. This news adds to ongoing instability in the video game industry, which has seen tens of thousands of layoffs recently.
Just last week, EA closed Bio Ware and cut around 400 jobs. Xbox is also in the process of shedding 3,200 workers over 12 months, with 268 laid off in September. The fate of Arkane Studios remains uncertain as it searches for a buyer.
Microsoft has given the studio a one-month extension to find a partner while developing Marvel's Blade.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing