Layoffs Hit Three Sony UK Studios
Evolution Studios, Guerrilla Cambridge and SCE London have all been hit with layoffs, calling the future of several projects into question.
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As part of a recent "internal review of all current projects," three of Sony's UK-based developers have been hit with layoffs.
The affected developers include Evolution Studios, last heard to be working on the still-absent PS4 racing title Driveclub; Guerrilla Cambridge, who most recently brought us the impressive Killzone: Mercenary for Vita; and SCE London, of The Playroom, Singstar and Wonderbook fame. It's not known what the latter two were working on at the time of the layoffs and whether this has affected the projects in question.
"Regular reviews take place throughout SCE Worldwide Studios, ensuring that the resources that we have in such a competitive business can create and produce high-quality, innovative and commercially viable projects," read a statement from Sony issued to Videogamer earlier today. "As part of this process, we have reviewed and assessed all current projects and have decided to make some changes to some of our European studios. Our first-party development studios are key to our creative strategy and we are very excited about the future projects being worked on."
The statement made no mention of what these projects in question might be, though it's likely that the much-delayed Driveclub, originally intended to launch alongside the PS4, is one of them. The news follows other upheavals in and around Sony, including Sony's Santa Monica studio shedding staff, and Amy Hennig departing Uncharted developer Naughty Dog.