Home Gaming InFamous studio suffers layoffs

InFamous studio suffers layoffs

1 min read
26

Infamous second son screenshot glorious screen 2
Layoffs are a sad reality of the gaming industry. When a project wraps up there are sometimes too many developers under a roof for a studio to support while thy figure out what to do next. This happens nearly every day, and yesterday Sucker Punch was the studio letting people go.
Sucker Punch is known for the development of the InFamous franchise, with Second Son being released on PS4 earlier this year. The studio has been working on a standalone expansion, First Light, which is set to launch very soon. It comes as no surprise then that they’ve now laid off some of their staff.

SCEA confirmed the news yesterday, with the typical “thanks for the hard work” response:

SCEA can confirm a reduction in workforce has taken place at Sucker Punch Productions. Sucker Punch is appreciative of the tremendous work team members contributed to the inFAMOUS and Sly Cooper series, and wishes them the best in their next endeavors.

It seems like developers from the old Sly Cooper team have also been affected, which is interesting considering Sucker Punch haven’t made a new title in that franchise since 2005.

Layoffs come with the job in the AAA industry, and developers are well aware of the risks. Still, its always sad to see hard working individuals lose their jobs and we hope that those affected find another home very soon.

Last Updated: August 20, 2014

26 Comments

  1. Well if there is nothing big in the making then you have idle staff… I am glad I didn’t go the path of game developer. I swear apple pickers have more stable work!

    Reply

  2. Wolfgang Wilkes

    August 20, 2014 at 11:09

    Not to get off topic, but…

    Screw it. Completely off topic: Any news on Gavin’s woes legal woes? I thought that all should have been finalised on the 11th?

    Does no news mean good news? Or that he’s been prevented from blobbing about Colonic Irrigation completely?

    C’mon! Enough with the antici…

    Reply

  3. Hammersteyn

    August 20, 2014 at 11:13

    Why not keep the people and make them work on a new project? They are very talented withouta doubt and can basically create any game

    Reply

  4. Sir Faulty

    August 20, 2014 at 11:25

    This kind of sensationalist reporting really gets on my nerves.

    I work in IT – I am a contractor and work as a IT Project Manager and I am usually employed to run IT projects of which I then hire staff (if I don’t have the full contingency from the business) to ensure the project delivers. Projects have a DEFINED start and and end date. Once the end date is reached and the project concludes; contractors like myself move off site to their next contract. Nothing new year – this is how IT works.

    To keep saying people are being laid off is a misnomer. Its simply the project they were working on has concluded, they were possibly contractors and now they are moving off site to their next respective projects.

    This is not something that just happens within the gaming sector – this is IT everywhere!

    Reply

    • ToshZA

      August 20, 2014 at 11:28

      Um. Some of these staff have been working there since before 2005. That’s a contract employee? This isn’t sensationalist. It’s simply stating that people lost their jobs. That IS what “laid off” means. That’s never a fun thing for the people who lost their jobs.

      Reply

      • Sir Faulty

        August 20, 2014 at 11:35

        Boo hoo people loose their jobs all the time!Till I see actual proof that people that being laid off where there since 2005 then I will believe it otherwise its simply just contractors slowly moving off site.

        Why do people take this as a personal slight . I release people from their contracts daily some because they are driftwood and I have no time for driftwood other times because yes I no longer need them and other times because their contracts have ended and I no intention of renewing those contracts for a project.

        The point I am making is this is happening all the time in IT. You need to grow a pair of balls in this industry or be really good at what you do if you plan on sticking around long enough

        Reply

        • ToshZA

          August 20, 2014 at 11:52

          Most of these guys ARE good at what they do. And you’re wonderfully heartless. I wish you many friends and happiness.

          Reply

          • Sir Faulty

            August 20, 2014 at 12:05

            And you have obviously never worked in business or IT. First Rule – People you hire/work with are not your friends – you are there to get a job done. I am guessing you are still in University or on your very first job!

            And did you know these people personally – so stop making it personal like it affects your life – because it doesn’t!

          • ToshZA

            August 20, 2014 at 12:09

            Wow, mr grumps. Yeah I’ve been working for over 11 years already. I’ve seen what a difference treating your staff like real people does. Suddenly they work harder, and you don’t need 2 people to do one job. Saving money in the process. Isn’t that good business? Also, hiring new talent often means paying more money. Money money money. That’s at the core of every business. Your attitude costs money. Not good for business.

            I feel sorry for any company that hires you – and every person who has to work with you.

          • Sir Faulty

            August 20, 2014 at 12:50

            Don’t feel sorry for me! My resume speaks for itself. I get the job done and if it means I loose a few people on the way – so be it!

          • Ragnar The Vengeful

            August 20, 2014 at 14:50

            *lose a few people, not loose a few people. What do you do to them? Launch them with catapults?

          • Jonah Cash

            August 20, 2014 at 15:52

            Hahahaha!! Owning my own business and employing 10 staff members I can see what you are trying to say, but you are doing it very badly. People who aren’t worth while will always be let go, and those who work their ass off will be kept on. That is business 101, but what @ToshZA:disqus says is also true. Treating your employees as if they are part of the business does motivate better than ruling with fear and terror!! People work harder for the guy they feel they are working with towards an end goal rather than working for a guy to get him to his end goal…. And that is business 102, you sir are stuck at 101. And sooner or later in life that is going to bite you in the ass!!
            You don’t even have to comment on this post of mine, I really don’t care and won’t get involved in a my dick is bigger than yours contest with you because I know mine is!! Good luck, just remember while you are great at your job and in demand doesn’t mean it will always be the case. You might one day have to look one of your previous employees in the eye for help or a job… Life is one big ass wheel, you aren’t on top for your whole life, rather help the guy that is at the bottom today and when the roles are reversed he might help you too 🙂

          • Lardus-Resident Perve

            August 20, 2014 at 12:48

            You seem to be quick to make assumptions of the type of employees these people were, and of ToshZA. You also seem to assume that your way is the best/only way business in IT is done. Consultants/Contractors generally carry a much higher cost than permanent staff (I have seen way too many invoices), and there are different ways of doing things in the IT world, not just your way. Assumption is the mother…
            You might be callous about people being out of a job, whether it is layoffs or contracts not being renewed. It does not mean because YOU think “that’s how it is done so grow a pair” that it is sensationalist when a GAMING site reports on a GAMING company reducing staff (whatever the means of doing it) – it is RELEVANT to the type of site and industry. And there are people here who are interested in this news. Would it be a bit more “balanced” to report on when the company takes on more staff for their next project? Probably. But does the company always make a press release about that for the press to latch on to? Doubt it.

          • Lardus-Resident Perve

            August 20, 2014 at 12:51

            Also, in general a gaming company will need those very same skills on their next project, while in the IT industry the projects are a lot more varied in the skills required so different staff will be needed.

          • Jonah Cash

            August 20, 2014 at 15:43

            Hahahaha!!! This made me lough out loud!!! Hahahaha!!!

  5. Jaggy

    August 20, 2014 at 11:29

    Give me Prototype instead of this emo in a beanie disco-lights nonsense. inFamous, Killzone and Watch Dogs can join the list of most overhyped games in history.

    Reply

    • Spathi

      August 20, 2014 at 11:43

      What a fitting nick for someone who plays on the Xbone!

      Reply

      • Jaggy

        August 20, 2014 at 11:46

        You know you’ve hit a nerve when words like Xbone are thrown aroun.

        Reply

        • Spathi

          August 20, 2014 at 11:50

          Uhm, what’s your abbreviation for the 720p powerhouse then?

          Reply

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      August 20, 2014 at 11:54

      Jaggy as in 720p and 30fps? AMIRITE BRA?

      Reply

  6. Ryanza

    August 20, 2014 at 11:37

    Here have a long read. I don’t know if it applies to these layoffs but still a interesting read. Some insight to all the layoff madness.

    http://kotaku.com/why-game-developers-keep-getting-laid-off-1583192249

    Reply

  7. Sir Rants A Lot: On Pandora

    August 20, 2014 at 11:38

    If you’re not going to need so many people for a project then don’t hire them full time and lay them off. Hire them on a contract basis for the project they have to work on so that they KNOW when their contract expires and can prevent being blind sided by layoffs.

    #justsaying

    Reply

  8. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    August 20, 2014 at 11:53

    Doesn’t the industry always do this? After a release, you have massive layoffs of contract staff, – because profits? Personally, I think the workers in the industry need to get a backbone and unionize.

    Reply

    • Ragnar The Vengeful

      August 20, 2014 at 14:30

      Easy there son, how about you put down the gun and we talk about this.

      Reply

  9. Xcalibersa

    August 20, 2014 at 14:00

    Hopefully next time you wont design such a horrible main character that no one likes and looks like an NPC

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Also

Uncharted Movie Passes $100 Million – Sony set to Make a Franchise

After 14 years Sony finally released the Uncharted movie to medium reception. The movie ha…