Media Molecule, the Sony-owned studio known for developing LittleBigPlanet and Dreams, is set to initiate layoffs in the coming weeks, with around 20 staffers expected to be cut – around 15% of the total workforce.
The news first broke via Sports Illustrated, which reported details of an internal staff meeting where employees were informed of upcoming changes. It was later confirmed by Media Molecule itself, via social media.
“Media Molecule has made significant strategic changes during the past year, including shifting our focus from Dreams to our new project,” the studio said. “We have had to make the difficult decision to being the consultation process for team members within certain departments of the studio. This is a tough moment for the individuals impacted and the studio overall.”
The studio has committed to providing those laid off with the “best support” possible during the layoff process. At this stage, it’s unclear whether these layoffs will impact work on Media Molecule’s next game, which has so far remained unannounced.
Read: PlayStation shuts down Concrete Genie studio, PixelOpus
As noted by GamesIndustry.biz, Media Molecule is the fourth Sony-owned studio to face layoffs in the last year, with Visual Arts, Naughty Dog, and PixelOpus all impacted by overarching change. In the case of PixelOpus, the studio was shut down entirely.
Media Molecule’s announcement arrives alongside a string of high profile layoffs in the global games industry, as companies contend with harsher economic circumstances, and overall sales slowdown. So far in 2023, significant layoffs have been announced at a variety of studios, including Blizzard, Team17, EA, CD Projekt Red, Riot Games, Amazon, Ascendant Studios, Private Division, 2K, Volition, Firaxis, Telltale Games, Crystal Dynamics, and Epic Games.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear these announcements are slowing down anytime soon.
Our thoughts are with those impacted by the layoffs at Media Molecule.
