Report: Axe Falls on Sony UK Staff Options

[PS3Scene]

Report: Axe Falls on Sony UK Staff Posted by XanTium | 25-4-2007 15:30 EST

From next-gen.biz: [QUOTE] Following Sony's admission last week that is was planning to axe 160 European staff in a bid to "streamline" its business operations, details of the job cuts are beginning to emerge. According to the report most of the staff made redundant came from the UK where the majority of Sony's European workforce is based. Sony Liverpool (WipeOut, Formula One) where most of Sony's European QA work is carried out lost over 50 employees, Sony Cambridge (24: The Game, Primal, GhostHunter) lost 20 members of staff, almost a quarter of the workforce based there, and the London studio (HOME, The Getaway, EyeToy, SingStar) was subject to 50 dismissals. Up to 30 sales, marketing are PR staff across a number of countries were also made redundant. Employees were given basic redundancy packages as dictated by country laws. [/QUOTE] Full Story: next-gen.biz

[mister.shine]

So in a bid to save the PS3, Sony are getting rid of the people who can create the games they need to boost sale. Well done that man/woman.

This post has been edited by mister.shine: Apr 25 2007, 08:09 PM

[mlmadmax]

layoffs suck

[RBJTech]

I'm really not sure what Sony is smoking these days ...

The UK has been one of the best European markets for the PS3 (in a very difficult time for Sony) and yet Sony seem to keep treating the UK gamers (late launch, high price) AND now Sony staff (standard government package = crap) with such low esteem.

Perhaps they want to lose console market - they certainly arn't helping themselves...

[Chancer]

Sony is more than just a console manufacturer. The current climate in the electronics industry in the UK will have had a bearing on these redundancy's. Production of many components related to older gen TV has been stopped by Sony due to lack of demand for spares (new stuff is too cheap). the closure of the Bridge End unit showed that trend.
Unfortunately most companies will spread the lay off's throughout the workforce even in unrelated areas. This does not mean that the development of games or console related production items is the section in decline.
This is just another example of "Robbing Peter to pay Paul"