This week, a big Wired exclusive shed details on the PlayStation 5. That’s got many people excited about the future. At the same time though, Sony made many people worried about their own future. Those people are employees of Sony’s European arm, SIEE.
According to Video Games Chronicle, on the very same day that the PlayStation 5 release date was revealed, “dozens” of SIEE staff were fired. While most of the layoffs affected Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe, some of the US creative team were given the boot too.
Some employees believe this is a sign of the growing administrative powers of the US arm of Sony, and a sign of Europe’s diminishing influence on the overall direction of the brand. Apparently Sony Europe employees didn’t even know about the Wired scoop until it was already live. American Sony executives flew over to Europe for announcements, instead of that job being handled by European executives.
It all appears to be part of an internal restructuring that started in 2018, which saw SIEA, SIEE and SIEJA reporting to then deputy president and head of global sales and marketing, Jim Ryan. Ryan has since become Sony Interactive Entertainment president and CEO, taking over from John Kodera.
This sort of centralised management has taken away the autonomy that the companies different arms have enjoyed, marketing specific products within their regions. While this will likely lead to less disjointed global operations, it’s unfortunately come at the expense of people’s livelihoods.
There’s no indication that the timing of the layoffs was to coincide with the reveal, but staff have indicated that they’ve felt the layoffs would be drowned by the PS5 announcement.”
Last Updated: October 10, 2019
Admiral Chief
October 10, 2019 at 14:03
Couldn’t resist…
https://aws1.discourse-cdn.com/boingboing/original/3X/b/d/bd1d109ba181408ce0b0a34677dab84ed4473473.gif
HvR
October 10, 2019 at 15:07
Our office a couple of days ago when we got handed our section 189 notices.
Dresden
October 10, 2019 at 15:17
We got ours in August. Fun times.
HvR
October 10, 2019 at 15:17
Jip, I luckily saw the shit coming a mile off (not my first rodeo); so got ball rolling in the job search last month already and if the interviews are anything to go on should be fine if affected.
Good luck on your side; know precisely how much it sucks.
Admiral Chief
October 10, 2019 at 15:17
Wait, what?
HvR
October 10, 2019 at 15:17
O ja jy wil mos nie meer met ons chat nie 🙂
Maar nie te erg, het vir Kasie en die ander ouens gesê die kak kom al laas maand; so is seker in die beste posisie wat ek kan wees.
Admiral Chief
October 11, 2019 at 08:17
Te besig…
So, wat gaan nou gebeur?
HvR
October 11, 2019 at 08:49
Hoop ek kry offer voor die deadline waar ek moet besluit of ek will aansoek doen vir my huidige pos of nie. Verder maar die gewone proses.
Admiral Chief
October 11, 2019 at 14:02
Offer erens anders of hoe?
En wil jy aanbly?
Admiral Chief
October 10, 2019 at 14:03
Bit of a douche move
Magoo マグ
October 10, 2019 at 14:14
Please for the love of god, nobody make a “dit sou nie” joke. Just this one time.
Original Heretic
October 10, 2019 at 14:34
Business is business…
Despite making millions in profit, laying a few people off let’s them eke out a couple million more.
Pariah
October 10, 2019 at 15:06
Yeah. I’m sorry. Unless those layoffs include execs, they’re not saving close to even 1 million, let alone multiple. I HATE that excuse.
Original Heretic
October 10, 2019 at 15:06
You… didn’t pick up on my sarcasm?
Dresden
October 10, 2019 at 15:06
Pariah read that comment on mute.
Original Heretic
October 10, 2019 at 15:07
He and I have these misunderstandings at times.
Pariah
October 10, 2019 at 20:33
This is exactly what happened. I am ashamed. @originalheretic:disqus