WTF is going on with Sony's first party studios?

GGG writes about why all the layoffs and high-profile employee departures at Sony's first party studios recently have them worried.

[Hatsune-Miku]

Sony is restructuring. Ps4 is a massive success and the ps3 is a massive success so making hard choices and the right moves are essential. They have morpheus on the horizon also which has massive hype and support behind it more so now that Oculus Rift has lost a lot of support and hype

Some short sighted people and fanboys might be trying to cause fake ruckus and alarm about some people leaving sony at the moment but sony needs to get rid of people who are costing them more than they need to spend.

Thousands of people work for SCE so a handful of people making bloated pay cheques and are easily replaceable by competent people at the end of their contracts can't be getting pay increases so they must be let go if they want a salary increase. They might also be let go because sony can hire people at a cheaper rate that can do as good as a job

I think it's awesome sony are doing the things they need to do to bring gamers awesome gaming hardware and software. They've been restructuring studios and selling off buildings for a very good reason. It's unfortunate people are losing jobs and such but sacrifices must be made to make sony stronger . playstation 3 is a success when sony was losing a lot of money so imagine what Sony will do with ps4 while making sony mass profits

[xHeavYx]

This is going on
http://n4g.com/news/1482661...

@Gozer
Of course it doesn't make sense to you, since you don't really like Sony, but, like it's been said a million times, there is something called restructuring. If you cared to read the article, you'd notice that they posted 2 positions, one for a recruiter and another one for a recruiting coordinator.
Sorry to burst your bubble though

[Gozer]

Why would sony be hiring within days of laying people off? That doesn't make sense, no wonder its just a rumor. Unless they are hiring people on the cheap, which means they are probably less talented.

edit-So they are hiring in the HR department. OK gotcha.

[darthv72]

It's like Logan's Run. One is terminated, one is born. Simple, logical, perfect.

Anyone that doesnt know that movie...watch it. CLASSIC!

[metatronx]

@gozer lol you dont understand how businesses run, do you? Sometimes company lets people go and hires new people to have new and fresh ideas. Plus every sec costs $$, you cant fire a person and leaves that post emty for days. Thats why Sony starts hiring as soon as someone leaves.

[Gozer]

Label it restructuring if you will, its obvious something bad is going on at sony. Looks like they would have been doing something before now though, as they have been losing billions for years. How many years does it take before heads roll?

They should just drop Project Morpheus, as VR has been nothing more than a gimmick for 2 decades. Sink that money into new IPs. They obviously cant afford another billion dollar mistake. It would be a shame to see a gimmick sink sony.

Hopefully they can get things straightened out before they go bankrupt or are bought out. Gaming needs competition to push things forward.

[GarrusVakarian]

"That doesn't make sense, no wonder its just a rumor."

It was labelled as a rumour because of the 2nd part of the article. The first part is fact, actual documentation proving that Sony is recruiting.

I don't want to sound like im belittling you here but ive noticed that it's usually people who seemingly have very little or no knowledge of this industry or how businesses work that say the things that you say. Thank god i took those business classes all those years ago.....it pays to actually have an above average understanding of situations like this. It also makes it painfully obvious when i see someone who doesn't.

"Label it restructuring if you will, "

Restructuring isn't a "label" that Sony fans have made up, it isn't a "damage control phrase", it's an actual, legitimate business term
http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

"How many years does it take before heads roll?"

Why do you say things like that? How is anyone supposed to take anything you say seriously, if all you do is spout trollish hyperbole and act like a drama queen? Just look at your comment, are *you* really telling Sony what they should and should not be doing? REALLY?

[xHeavYx]

@Gozer
You keep telling yourself all that, it may help you sleep at night ;)

[iamnsuperman]

Quick question but

"They obviously cant afford another billion dollar mistake"

What company can afford a billion dollar mistake? Every company that has their billion dollar mistake leads to people leaving and restructuring. Even a hundread million means stuff changes. No company can afford that mistake (even Google or apple). I am confused why you throwing that statement around so easily

[Boody-Bandit]

"What company can afford a billion dollar mistake?"

Exxon Mobil

On topic:
New generation. New people / talent.
Other than that too much is being read into these departures. I'm not the least bit worried about Sony and the PS4. Their future is bright.

Now back to Infamous.
4 trophies to go for platinum.

[joab777]

I agree. It does make sense and may be a good thing. Recently Levine went small, cliffy went small, bowling is making a new game.

It isnt indies being hit. Its high profile, AAA studios being hit. Its an industry wide movement. Sony may simply be cutting the fat....looking to operate on a smaller scale. AAA titles are a dying breed and ppl are going to stop paying $60 for an experience that lasts only a few hours.

With the popularity of f2p games like DCUO, Warframe...and the coming of mmo's to consoles, consoles are becoming more pc like. And Valve is the template for what Sony might be doing...and should be doing.

[imXify]

When we don't know anything official about what's going on, we shut up.

[Walker]

Normal cycle of things. Egos get big, people leave. Projects are completed, people leave.

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

okay then why aren't other game companies doing it if it a normal cycle thing

[kenshiro100]

Otaku, that does happen with other companies. It happens with companies outside of gaming. Pretty sure it happened with EA.

[Why o why]

Time will tell

[Jihaad_cpt]

It's called change, at some point some people crave it. Do game journalist have to sensationalize everything?

[JW1080]

A new person could add a lot of fresh new ideas to the table. That could have something to do with it to an extent. I'm thinking the main reason may be that the PS4 is just simply easier to develop games for than it's past consoles.

[hello12]

Evolution Studios laying off staff especially when Driveclub isn't out is worrying. The rest of studios laying off staff is just Sony reducing costs.

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

what about Uncharted 4 director leaving

[hello12]

Not sure its seems to me, to be more do with internal issues within Naughty dog than Sony firing him and others?

Driveclub isn't looking good with all the staff been let go.

Sony needs to restructure so its unfortunate people are going to lose work. But its better than Sony losing their gaming brand don't you thing.

I said this months ago to Sony fans and had private emails discussions with Sony fans things don't look good and explained why, but i got the same nonsense i usually get. I feel somewhat proven by this.

[iamnsuperman]

Something needed to be done with Drive club. One delay is bad but it was clear the team couldn't deliver to a certain standard (I suspect more will be brought in to take their place). Sony has a standard to uphold.

@OtakuDJK1NG

Depends on how the image of what U4 should be like was formed. Also depends who replaces him. Senior position like that delegates tasks and keeps teams on track

OT I am not so worried by these "issues". It seems just a mixture of getting rid of those who can't deliver and those leaving to do other things

[kenshiro100]

People don't stay at companies forever. They leave for better opportunities, etc. Doesnt mean that Sony is doomed or whatever crap people are spewing these days.

[welly300]

Sony are very quite but they might have sacked the pr guy.
Sony needs to do some damage limitation. Sony fans are nervous xbox fans are loving it.