Sony stocks are sliding after the brand confirmed significant cuts to first-party developer Bend Studio’s workforce.
At the time of writing, Sony (NYSE: SONY) is down −0.26
On Tuesday, Bloomberg‘s Jason Schreier verified layoff claims via a Bluesky post. “Sony’s Bend studio, which canceled a live-service game earlier this year, is laying off 30% of staff today (around 40 people) … The studio has been spinning up a new project following the cancellation.”
Shortly after, Bend Studio shared confirmation of layoffs via social media. “Today, we said goodbye to some incredibly talented teammates as we transition to our next project,” the post reads. “We’re deeply thankful for their contributions as they’ve shaped who we are, and their impact will always be part of our story. This is a difficult moment for our team, but we hold immense respect for everyone who got us here. As we move forward, we remain committed to building the future of Bend Studio with creativity, passion, and innovation in the titles we craft.”
Sony’s only statement regarding the layoffs came in the form of a statement to gaming website Kotaku:
“Earlier this year, Bend Studio wrapped development on a live service concept. After careful consideration, we chose not to move forward with it,” a spokesperson for Sony confirmed to Kotaku in an email. “As the team shifts focus to its next project, we’ve made strategic changes to better position the studio for long-term success. As part of this transition, a workforce reduction has taken place at the studio. This decision was not made lightly, and we are extremely grateful for the meaningful contributions of all those impacted. Bend Studio has been a valued part of PlayStation Studios for decades, and we remain confident in its future and creative direction.”
The decades-old studio based in Bend, Oregon, was established in 1993 and acquired by Sony’s PlayStation Studios in 2000. The subsidiary’s most notable releases include action-adventure hit Days Gone, PlayStation exclusive spy series Syphon Filter, and quirky 1990s platformer Bubsy 3D.
The layoffs come not long after PlayStation canceled two live-service multiplayer titles, one of which was in development at Bend. The other, a Bluepoint Games title. Sony’s cuts comprise a small portion of sweeping, industry-wide layoffs over the last few years.
According to data compiled by Obsidian, labor losses at Bend mark the 75th such cut to affect the industry so far this year. Obsidian’s data also confirms 25 employee cuts at Bend earlier this year — on Valentine’s Day, no less. Some treat that is.
Outrun Gaming staff extends well wishes to those affected by industry layoffs.
Follow us on MSN for more content you love.
Read more
- Nintendo Switch 2 becomes fastest-selling game console ever
- ‘WAHOO!’ Best ‘Mario Kart World’ Courses
A lifelong gamer raised on classic titles like Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and Croc, Stephanie brings her expertise of gaming and pop culture to deliver unique, refreshing views on the world of video games, complete with references to absurd and obscure media.
Leave a Reply