Game News
Ghost of Yotei studio Sucker Punch cuts staff: 26 jobs or 24, depending on who you read
Sucker Punch, the PlayStation-owned studio behind Infamous and last year's Ghost of Yotei, has laid off staff. Game Informer reported on 26 October that 26 roles were cut, citing the site Aftermath, which spoke to a former employee and obtained a company email.
Eurogamer ran the same figure that day, quoting the reason given internally: the cuts came “after carefully observing the challenges in the market”. Game Informer quoted another line from the email: “we've decided to make some staffing reductions.” It described Ghost of Yotei as a critical and commercial success.
The next day, Game Developer reported that Sucker Punch had confirmed the cuts, put the number at 24 and estimated it at about 10 percent of staff, based on Aftermath's figures.
“Several positions across Sucker Punch will be eliminated as a result.” — via Game Developer
How each outlet framed it
- Game Informer — the original report, and the contrast with a hit game.
- Eurogamer — the market reasoning in Sucker Punch's own words.
- Game Developer — the confirmed version: 24 roles, about a tenth of the studio, tied to the market and the needs of its next project.
Where the numbers differ: the first reports said 26; the confirmed figure reported by Game Developer is 24. Sony has made no separate public statement, and the studio has not said what its next project is.