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Layoffs at Sony San Diego (40-50 people, seemingly everyone but the MLB team)

J

jbug617

Banned
This afternoon saw layoffs hit Sony Interactive Entertainment San Diego, a development branch devoted to the MLB: The Show series and other games.

An estimated 40 to 50 people were let go from the studio, according to one of those affected by the layoffs. The employee asked that their name not be used, so that their hunt for a new job wouldn't be impacted. Although new jobs opened up at the San Diego studio earlier today, Sony told Polygon that there has been "a reduction in headcount."

"We continually evaluate teams and programs at SIE Worldwide Studios to ensure we have the proper resources in place to deliver innovative products within a competitive landscape," a representative for the company said. "As projects are completed, it is natural to review and restructure teams around current and future needs."

The ex-San Diego staffer told Polygon that those working on Kill Strain and another, unannounced project were terminated, and were told that Kill Strain had ceased production immediately. Meanwhile, the team behind baseball franchise MLB: The Show has been excluded from the layoffs.
Click to expand...

Sony says Kill Strain is not dead and Drawn to Death is still in production
Sony told Polygon that Kill Strain isn't dead yet, despite the layoffs.

"We are continuing to support Kill Strain. Also to note, the external development team at San Diego Studio has not been affected and Drawn to Death remains in production."
Click to expand...
http://www.polygon.com/2016/9/14/12920504/sony-san-diego-studio-layoffs


EDIT 2:
dex3108 said:
They also lay off some people from London Studio

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articl...s-at-sony-london-as-first-vr-project-wraps-up
Click to expand...
 
K

Kralamoonard

Member
Yikes :/

Like Nirolak insinuated in the other thread, unfortunately this gen's change in AAA development has stifled many of Sony's WWS and only a few managed to get the better of it. A real shame.
 
J

Jack The Nipper

Banned
Disc golf full game dream dead?

They really make good games. Kaz, dev killer, profit sorcery.

Guess everything game will eventually be uncharted
 
K

Kathian

Banned
Sony have realised that in development they just need a headliner (Naughty Dog) and really the rest can be taken up by third parties.
 
Z

Zedark

Member
Damn, what is Sony doing to their own studios? Two closures within a year is rough, and drains their first party stable.

Also, didn't they say in the FY report that they were investing aggressively in first party content? How does that rhyme with these closures?
 
Eolz

Eolz

Member
Didn't expect that for this studio, at least not that much :/
Shame, hope the other devs in this area will be able to help them out.
 
J

jbug617

Banned
Kill3r7 said:
If it was not worth it to 2K it certainly will not be worth it to EA. Especially since they would have to start from the ground up and they have had a terrible time with reviving NBA Live.
Click to expand...

Yeah but instead of putting resources in NBA Live where they have to compete with 2K, they can have the MLB for themselves.
 
L

LiquidSolid

Member
They had two teams, didn't they? The MLB The Show team and the Kill Strain team. I (sadly) wouldn't be surprised if the Kill Strain team were let go but it would be a shock if they did it to the MLB team as well.

Either way, all the best to all the people let go.
 
SEGAvangelist

SEGAvangelist

Member
Zedark said:
Damn, what is Sony doing to their own studios? Two closures within a year is rough, and drains their first party stable.

Also, didn't they say in the FY report that they were investing aggressively in first party content? How does that rhyme with these closures?
Click to expand...

Working with partners? Money hats? Who knows?
 
J

Jack The Nipper

Banned
CrisKre said:
WTF is going on at Sony? Just horrible news/shitty showings all around in the last few weeks.
Click to expand...
They leaving that door wide open for ms imo

Ms needs to learn from all this.

Just giving us 4k won't do it, hope they got new game types to show. Imo they just may.

Sony really has been disheartening for a while. Delay everything except layoffs
 
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