Please support Game Informer. Print magazine subscriptions are less than $2 per issue
Sony Confirms Layoffs At Santa Monica Studio
The Sony-owned studio that delivered God of War and participated in a number of major first-party projects has suffered layoffs. Sony confirms that its Santa Monica studio has gone through staff reductions.
“SCEA can confirm that we have completed a reduction in workforce at Santa Monica Studio,” a representative told Game Informer via email. “This is a result of a cycle of resource re-alignment against priority growth areas within [Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios]. We do not take these decisions lightly. However, sometimes it is necessary to make changes to better serve the future projects of the studio. We have offered outplacement services and severance packages to ease transition for those impacted.”
It was just announced that that the Sony Santa Monica team would be leaving its existing facility to allow the creative team to operate more freely. Our thoughts go out to those who are impacted by the layoffs.
[Source: IGN]
Our Take
The statement Sony provided is filled with business jargon, but what it means is that in order for the studio to survive, Sony needed to reduce staff. Those who have been let go will have help finding new employment and have been offered a package to help while they look for new employment. I’m not partial to cold language when it comes to layoffs, but it is some comfort to know that Sony is offering something to those now former employees.
I’d like to ask you to support Game Informer’s continued coverage of games with a subscription. For less than two dollars per issue, we mail you a full year of 10 print magazines, each with cover stories and preview features filled with exclusive details about the most exciting upcoming games. We profile and interview game creators. We look back on the rich history of gaming, and we celebrate what’s next.
Here on the website, we offer much of our content for free, including game reviews, daily news, videos, event coverage, and more – all with minimal ads.
We do so with a small editorial team, alongside contributing paid writers from around the world – over 65 individuals from 9 countries around the world, just in the last couple of years.
It’s not possible without support.
In a time when game makers and games coverage have faced hard struggles and layoffs, the future of this 30+ year magazine and community is at risk. Our new standalone magazine subscription is the number one way you can keep us alive – and we believe you’ll get a pretty fantastic gaming magazine in your mailbox every few weeks for your trouble.
Thank you.
