Sucker Punch Studios Lays Off 26 Employees After Ghost of Yotei DLC Launch
Written with artificial intelligence.
Sucker Punch, the studio behind Ghost of Yotei, has laid off 26 employees shortly after the release of the game's DLC and Complete Edition for PS5. The studio, which currently employs around 200 people, cited market challenges and team restructuring as reasons for the layoffs.
Layoffs at Sucker Punch Studios
Sucker Punch, known for developing the acclaimed game Ghost of Yotei, has announced the dismissal of 26 employees. This decision comes just weeks after the studio released the DLC and Complete Edition of Ghost of Yotei for PlayStation 5.
According to the website Aftermath, an email from the studio's management revealed that the layoffs were necessary due to "challenges in the market" and changes in the scope of the team for their next project. The email stated, "After carefully observing market challenges and assessing the needs of the team for our next project, we decided to make some reductions in staff. Several positions at Sucker Punch will be eliminated as a result."
The email further expressed the difficulty of the decision, noting, "There is no denying that this is a difficult day. We have dedicated much attention to this and are committed to supporting our affected colleagues during this transition."
While the specifics of Sucker Punch's next project remain unclear, speculation continues about potential returns to franchises such as Infamous or Sly Cooper. Ghost of Yotei itself has been a commercial success, selling 3.3 million copies within its first month of release and earning critical acclaim as a PS5 exclusive. However, plans for a PC release appear to have been abandoned.
This news of layoffs emerges during a challenging time for PlayStation, which is facing backlash over its shift to a fully digital future by 2028, along with recent changes, including the closure of the beloved Bluepoint studio and interruptions in high-profile projects like Hideo Kojima's next-generation game, Physint.