Infamous dev Sucker Punch hit by layoffs, numbers unknown
Sony-owned developer Sucker Punch laid off some of its staff this week, just days ahead of Infamous: Second Son standalone expansion First Light releasing on PS4. Sony Computer Entertainment America confirmed the layoffs to IGN yesterday, though it's not known how many employees at the Infamous and Sly Cooper studio lost their jobs.
"SCEA can confirm a reduction in workforce has taken place at Sucker Punch Productions," reads Sony's statement. "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."
The significance of the layoffs is difficult to ascertain. Infamous: Second Son arrived on PS4 back in March after missing the console's launch, and good chart performance suggested it helped propel the system towards the 7 million mark in April.
However, as part of its restructuring Sony said in February it would lay off 5,000 employees across the next year, including 3,500 overseas. Shortly after, God of War studio Sony Santa Monica suffered a round of layoffs and purportedly canceled a major unannounced game.
In March, Infamous: Second Son lead designer Jaime Griesemer revealed he was leaving the studio, days ahead of the game's release. Griesemer downplayed the timing as "cause for concern" and described Sucker Punch as "a studio on the rise with a bright future."
[Image: Sony Computer Entertainment]
