As picked up by VGC, it seems like one of PlayStation’s studios is the latest to be hit in an ongoing cycle of shutdowns and layoffs that’s permeated throughout the gaming industry in 2023.
The outlet has reported that “several” developers from PlayStation Studios’ Visual Arts Group have announced their departures online following what’s claimed to be a wave of layoffs at the company. Based in San Diego, Visual Arts regularly works with first-party PlayStation Studios and third-party developers to create visual assets and give technical support for games and other media.
Among these are former senior level designer, Daniel Bellemare, who wrote in an update on their LinkedIn profile, “Unfortunately, following a wave of layoffs last week was my last at PlayStation. While this is certainly not news I was hoping for, I’m grateful to have had a chance to work amongst extremely talented colleagues on incredible projects and I’m leaving with good memories of my time there.”
Several developers have announced that they have been laid off from PlayStation’s Visual Arts group.https://t.co/jSQpu8imn1 pic.twitter.com/qNJM5u7sd2
— VGC (@VGC_News) October 21, 2023
One of Bellemare’s colleagues, Matt Barney, also took to LinkedIn to share their unfortunate news, saying “Goodbye PlayStation/Sony Interactive Entertainment, it’s been real! For the past few months, I knew this layoff wave was coming. I love PlayStation & I always will… I mean, I stayed when I had the chance to leave, so obviously!
“To the Studios that I supported: San Diego Studio (MLB: The Show), Firewalk Studios (Concord), Valkyrie Entertainment, LLC, PlayStation Studios, XDEV, Developer Tools & Technology, etc., etc. I loved every single minute of partnering with you! However, I have learned today that I will unfortunately no longer be your Staffing Partner.”
VGC writes that other staff seen sharing their exit from Visual Arts Group include contract workers, though it’s not confirmed that these were part of a greater rounds of layoffs or just the standard conclusion of contracts.
Other high-profile culls within the industry in recent months include Naughty Dog, Telltale Games, Team17, Striking Distance Studios, Epic Games, Ascendant Studios, Bioware, CD Projekt Red and more.
