Sony Interactive Entertainment EU reportedly lays off "dozens" amid restructuring
US-based creative services also affected, employee notice given on same day as PS5 details announcement
Sony Interactive Entertainment's European branch has reportedly laid off "dozens" amid a multi-division restructuring.
GamesIndustry.biz sister-site Video Games Chronicle reports that affected divisions included marketing and PR, in addition to layoffs also occurring on the US creative services team, with at least one employee sharing their situation on Twitter. Some employees are being asked to re-interview for former positions.
This announcement was made to employees on the same day as a Wired report that shared new details on Sony's upcoming PlayStation 5, including its confirmed name and release window of holiday 2020. Some employees reportedly feel this is a sign of the growing influence of SIE America and the reduced influence of the EU side, with American executives coming to the EU to make the announcement and EU employees not being informed of the Wired article reveals at all.
This restructuring appears to be a continuation of an ongoing shift across all of Sony, the effects of which have seen Jim Ryan appointed SIE president and CEO earlier this year, and former SIE Worldwide Studios chairman Shawn Layden departing the company unexpectedly at the start of this month.
GamesIndustry.biz has reached out to Sony for comment, though VGC notes that Sony declined to comment on the news.