Former PlayStation chief slammed for comments on laid-off devs
Chris Deering, the former head of Sony's European PlayStation division, has come under fire for his recent comments about laid-off game developers. He suggested that those who lost their jobs should consider becoming Uber drivers or taking a year off at the beach until the industry recovers.
Controversial Advice
Deering, who led Sony Computer Entertainment Europe from 1995 to 2005, shared his thoughts on the podcast My Perfect Console. He downplayed corporate greed as a factor in recent layoffs and offered some controversial advice to those affected.
"I don't think it's fair to say that the resulting layoffs are due to greed," Deering said. He added that he always tried to hire staff slowly to avoid cycles of layoffs.
Massive Layoffs in 2024
Sony's gaming division faced significant cuts in 2024. In February, the company announced layoffs affecting 900 people, about 8% of PlayStation's global workforce. Studios like Insomniac, Naughty Dog, Guerrilla, and Firesprite were impacted, with PlayStation London Studio hit the hardest, receiving a closure notice.
Even Bungie, owned by Sony, faced severe cuts as Destiny 2 struggled commercially.
Deering's Perspective
Deering acknowledged the closure of Sony's London Studio. "The entire studio structure has been managed from Amsterdam for a few years now. If the money doesn't come from the consumers of the last game, it will be hard to justify expenses for the next one," he said.
Advice for Laid-Off Developers
Deering's advice to those affected by layoffs was blunt:
- Become an Uber driver or find another temporary job.
- Find a cheap place to live and take a year off at the beach.
- Stay updated with industry news to avoid falling behind.
He remained optimistic, stating that the industry could recover faster than expected.
Industry Reactions
Deering's comments have sparked negative reactions on social media. The Game Workers branch of the IWGB, a union representing game industry workers in the UK, emphasized the importance of unionization in response to his remarks.
Over the past two years, the gaming industry has seen over 20,000 layoffs. Major companies like Microsoft, Sony, and Embracer Group have not only cut jobs but also closed entire studios.
Recent Studio Closures
- Microsoft closed Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks in May 2024, part of 1,900 layoffs in their gaming division.
- Embracer Group shut down Volition, the developer of Saints Row, in 2023.
- NetEase laid off most employees at Ouka Studios, intending to close it completely.
The Rise of Unions
These drastic cuts have led to the emergence of unions in the gaming industry. In July, Bethesda Game Studios became the first Microsoft developer to fully unionize under the Communication Workers of America (CWA). World of Warcraft developers also officially unionized the same month.
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