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Square Enix Prepares To Lay Off Some Staff In London
Square Enix has confirmed to Game Informer that it is making changes to its London operation. No details were available on the magnitude of the layoffs.
“We’re proposing some changes in our London office as part of our ongoing ambition to best position Square Enix for future growth in the West,” a Square Enix representative told us via email. “The proposed changes are subject to a period of consultation with some of our employees and that is our immediate focus. We’re not able to go into any further details at the moment.”
The term “consultation” refers to discussion with an employer that covers the reasons for termination and any potential alternatives. Though we don’t know how many employees were impacted, if it is at least 20 though, the consultation period must take place at least 30 days prior to terminations. If at least 100 employees are included, 45 days must go by before dismissals begin.
Formerly Eidos Interactive (until its purchase by Square Enix in 2009), the studios under Square Enix Europe include Crystal Dynamics, IO Interactive, Square Enix Montreal, Eidos Montreal, Square Enix London Studio, and others. The western division of the international publisher has a number of titles on the way, including Rise of the Tomb Raider, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, and Just Cause 3.
[Source: MCV]
Our Take
Our thoughts are with those affected. With so many major titles coming out of Square Enix’s western studios, another round of layoffs (following similar actions in Europe and North America in 2013) is puzzling. With Final Fantasy XV and Kingdom Hearts III so far in the distance, the western operations are crucial to Square Enix’s continued health.
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