Replace, 12:26 p.m., 10/24/23:
Sport Informer reached out to Sony and PlayStation searching for affirmation of Media Molecule layoffs and extra following the discharge of GLHF’s report. A spokesperson for Sony Interactive Leisure despatched us a hyperlink to Media Molecule’s Twitter account, the place it shared the next message:
A message from Media Molecule. pic.twitter.com/tV4ZNkdgAF
— Media Molecule (@mediamolecule) October 24, 2023
The unique story continues beneath…
Authentic story, 9:32 a.m., 10/24/23:
PlayStation first-party studio Media Molecule, which is the group behind Desires and LittleBigPlanet, is reportedly set to layoff round 20 staff. That’s in response to a brand new report from Sports activities Illustrated’s GLHF, which states the information of impending layoffs was revealed throughout an inner assembly held in the present day on the studio.
The layoffs are set to scale back group employees by 15 to twenty%, with a headcount discount of 135 to 115, in response to GLHF. The report doesn’t point out a particular motive why past employees discount, however Sport Informer has reached out to PlayStation to verify the layoffs and related numbers, why the layoffs could be taking place, and if affected staff will obtain severance; we’ll replace the story if we be taught extra or obtain remark again from PlayStation.
Media Molecule was initially an unbiased studio earlier than PlayStation acquired it in 2010. The group is accountable for LittleBigPlanet, LittleBigPlanet 2, Tearaway, and Desires. Learn Sport Informer’s LittleBigPlanet 2 overview right here after which try our Desires overview.
These reported Media Molecule layoffs be a part of an sadly ever-growing checklist of layoffs affecting the studios behind video games launched in 2023, which by all accounts is likely one of the finest years in gaming by way of releases. In January, Microsoft laid off 10,000 staff amidst its ongoing $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which it accomplished earlier this month.
In August, Placing Distance Studios, the group behind final yr’s The Callisto Protocol, laid off greater than 30 staff, and that very same month, Mass Impact and Dragon Age developer BioWare laid off 50 staff, together with long-time studio veterans. The next month, in September, Immortals of Aveum developer Ascendant Studios laid off roughly 45% of its employees.
Simply this month, The Final of Us developer Naughty Canine has laid off at the least 25 staff and Telltale Video games has gone by way of layoffs as properly, though an precise variety of laid off staff has not but been revealed.
The hearts of the Sport Informer employees are with everybody affected by these layoffs and people nonetheless on the studio.
[Source: GLHF]
Supply: Sport Informer
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