Sony is set to reduce around 900 jobs within its PlayStation department, amounting to approximately 8% of its total workforce globally. This move follows a trend of job cuts within the technology and gaming industry.
The company attributes industry changes as the primary reason for the restructuring, with layoffs expected in the Americas, Japan, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific regions.
Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan expressed in a blog post on Tuesday the importance of meeting the needs of developers and gamers while pushing the boundaries of gaming technology to ensure the best gaming experience for the community.
These job cuts come shortly after Microsoft’s announcement of reducing nearly 2,000 employees post its acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Riot Games also announced a layoff of 11% of its workforce in January.
The closure of PlayStation Studio in London and job cuts at Firesprite studio are part of the restructuring process. Various functions within Sony Interactive Entertainment in the UK will also see reductions, with affected employees receiving severance pay.
Ryan emphasized that despite challenges, this move does not reflect a weakness in the company, its brands, or the industry. The focus remains on staying agile, adaptable, and committed to delivering exceptional gaming experiences both now and in the future.
Sony faced issues meeting the demand for its PlayStation 5 console at its launch towards the end of 2020, attributed to repeated supply chain challenges before achieving strong sales figures.
Source: www.theguardian.com
