Sony PlayStation lays off 900, around 8% cut, and shuts down studio(s) [2024-02-27]

[Freed]

@Hue

This almost reads in such a way that they were forced to acquire studios and grew too quickly. It suggests to me that we won’t see many PS acquisitions in a while…

…requires a re-evaluation of how we operate"

So I wonder what could that mean. More experimental, smaller and less expensive games (I’d like this) but it’s less likely.

Or their same types of experience, but scaled down (less open world, shorter, etc.)

I don’t see a way they lower costs anywhere significantly with the same scope/scale/production levels, one or two have to scale down. Either same scope but production lowers, or same production but scope lowers, etc.

Or maybe reduce spend on marketing…

[Widey85]

@Freed

…requires a re-evaluation of how we operate"

So I wonder what could that mean. More experimental, smaller and less expensive games (I’d like this) but it’s less likely.

Or their same types of experience, but scaled down (less open world, shorter, etc.)

I don’t see a way they lower costs anywhere significantly with the same scope/scale/production levels, one or two have to scale down. Either same scope but production lowers, or same production but scope lowers, etc.

Or maybe reduce spend on marketing…

I complain Xbox don’t market enough (and it’s probably a reason their profits are good, as it costs a fortune) but Sony could definitely cut back a bit.

There are times I’ve seen a new game of theirs advertised on the TV, then on a banner on 2 or 3 gaming sites then on Twitch or YouTube, all within 5 minutes.

It feels at times you can’t get away from them!

PS: I think a few of their recent games have had shorter campaign times and re-used assets from previous games - continuing those trends may help too…

[Hue]

@Freed

…requires a re-evaluation of how we operate"

So I wonder what could that mean. More experimental, smaller and less expensive games (I’d like this) but it’s less likely.

Or their same types of experience, but scaled down (less open world, shorter, etc.)

I don’t see a way they lower costs anywhere significantly with the same scope/scale/production levels, one or two have to scale down. Either same scope but production lowers, or same production but scope lowers, etc.

Or maybe reduce spend on marketing…

Yep, Im guessing they either:

• Reduce the length/scope of their games.
• Break up their games into multiple parts.

I don’t think they will move away from AAA based on how it’s worded.

IMO they will likely go for the latter so they can essentially sell the same game multiple times.

[Freed]

@Widey85

I complain Xbox don’t market enough (and it’s probably a reason their profits are good, as it costs a fortune) but Sony could definitely cut back a bit.

There are times I’ve seen a new game of theirs advertised on the TV, then on a banner on 2 or 3 gaming sites then on Twitch or YouTube, all within 5 minutes.

It feels at times you can’t get away from them!

Yep, their spend on marketing is nuts. You’d think they don’t even need it with their strong brand, but they keep at it just to nail down that brand image, and probably so that they don’t get stung again by the arrogance that led to them losing the consumer electronics dominance (non-PS) when they thought their brand was enough and needed no marketing.

[Freed]

@Hue

Break up their games into multiple parts.

This would essentially be lowering in production or scope/scale.

[CallMeCraig]

@saintsflow20

How are people supposed to want to enter the industry when the reward for a game like Spiderman 2 being the fastest selling or whatever is layoffs?

If you want to get into the games industry in 2024 you are competing with thousands of layed off and experienced people. Thats a very bad market right now.

[Jorge_Alexander_Acos (Jorge Alexander Acosta Duarte)]

Thats why RECORD-BREAKING REVENUE QUARTERS!!! dont tell the whole picture folks! Glad more and more people are starting to realize that

So that’s 4 out of the 12 GAAS cancelled now? If SONY doesn’t figure this out, I predict they will be in really big problem in the future.

[Jorge_Alexander_Acos (Jorge Alexander Acosta Duarte)]

@Hue

Yep, Im guessing they either:

• Reduce the length/scope of their games.
• Break up their games into multiple parts.

I don’t think they will move away from AAA based on how it’s worded.

IMO they will likely go for the latter so they can essentially sell the same game multiple times.

And/or do day 1 PC. Stop being stubborn SONY, you know you need it.

[Hue]

@Freed

This would essentially be lowering in production or scope/scale.

Yes and No.

The way I was refering to it was making it more linear, removing open world elements, removing main & side missions, reducing the size of the overall map, removing story elements, removing extra characters and their story arcs etc.

You can keep many of those elements but split it across more games to increase revenue. For example character B (and their story) turns up in part 2 or missions intended for part 1 are in part 2 etc.

[monkeyboy101 (Davis)]

@Jorge_Alexander_Acos

So that’s 4 out of the 12 GAAS cancelled now?

Five? Pretty sure London Studio were working on a GAAS too.

[Hue]

@Jorge_Alexander_Acos

So that’s 4 out of the 12 GAAS cancelled now? If SONY doesn’t figure this out, I predict they will be in really big problem in the future.

Didn’t they initially cancel 6?

It appears the Twisted Metal GAAS game was cancelled as part of these layoffs and Factions has also since been cancelled.

[Jorge_Alexander_Acos (Jorge Alexander Acosta Duarte)]

@Hue

Didn’t they initially cancel 6?

It appears the Twisted Metal GAAS game was cancelled as part of these layoffs and Factions has also since been cancelled.

@monkeyboy101

Five? Pretty sure London Studio were working on a GAAS too.

I dont know now :v

Also RIP racthet seems Insomnicac is now a marvel machine

[foxlife]

@Hue

Didn’t they initially cancel 6?

It appears the Twisted Metal GAAS game was cancelled as part of these layoffs and Factions has also since been cancelled.

• Twisted metal
• TLOU Online
• London’s game
• Spiderman online
• deviation’s game
• Marathon seems to have some problems

[Freed]

@foxlife

deviation’s game

Wait what? Wasn’t that whole studio bought for that game and to be their big GaaS thing?

[Hue]

@Jorge_Alexander_Acos

I dont know now :v

Also RIP racthet seems Insomnicac is now a marvel machine

Sorry just looked it up, they delayed 6 GAAS games in November then later advised some of their GAAS games had been cancelled (no figure was given).

Hiroki Totoki then advised they would evaluate the other 6 projects at a later date.

I think the London GAAS game and Twisted Metal (Firesprite) game will likely be 2 additional games on top of the original 6 they mentioned in November. Therefore the total would now be 8 cancelled/postponed.

[Sparda3g]

https://x.com/davidspringate/status/1762477258046914709?s=46&t=O_AGT9SEnlptKOF_2SxtqQ

[monkeyboy101 (Davis)]

@Hue

Didn’t they initially cancel 6?

12 in development.

Half were “delayed”. I don’t think they ever really thought all 12 would release. They just wanted to raise the odds.

[foxlife]

https://twitter.com/jasonschreier/status/1762504673901130008?t=2k8BU6ZfTAFIvKla746thQ

WHAAAT

[No-1HoloLens-Fan]

@saintsflow20

How are people supposed to want to enter the industry when the reward for a game like Spiderman 2 being the fastest selling or whatever is layoffs?

Go multiplat. Save jobs.

[Hue]

@Freed

Wait what? Wasn’t that whole studio bought for that game and to be their big GaaS thing?

It always seemed odd to me with Jason Blundell involved, I think when Jason left they completely changed their project.