PlayStation is shutting down London Studio amid mass layoffs

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has made the decision to close down London Studio, known for developing titles like The Getaway and VR Worlds.

Established in 2002 through a merger of Studio Camden and Team Soho, London Studio has been instrumental in creating major franchises and immersive VR experiences such as Blood & Truth, VR Worlds, and Wonderbook.

The studio was working on a new online multiplayer game set in modern day London, described as a brand new franchise, but unfortunately, the project has been discontinued.

Sony layoffs in 2024

In a larger restructuring effort, SIE has announced layoffs that will affect several key studios including Firesprite, Insomniac Games, Naughty Dog, and Guerrilla.

Around 900 jobs are expected to be cut, comprising about 8 percent of the global workforce. Outgoing SIE boss Jim Ryan shared this news with employees in an email earlier today.

Despite the closure of London Studio, the company still has open positions listed on its website. PlayStation Studios head Herman Hulst emphasized the need for a "different approach" to continue delivering high-quality gaming experiences that push boundaries.

As Hulst stated in a blog post, "PlayStation 5 is in its fourth year, and we need to reassess our strategies to meet the evolving demands of the industry and our players."

Sony recently reported record quarterly sales of PlayStation 5 hardware, although they fell short of internal projections.

The Game & Network Services segment saw a 16 percent increase in quarterly sales year-on-year, reaching $9.2 billion, with the success attributed to the performance of "non-first-party titles."

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