sony of Europe- layoffs coming

[8th lutz]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6169203.html?...newstop;title;7

 

Just weeks after the European launch of the PlayStation 3, which in the UK was deemed the most successful console launch of all time, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe looks set to announce job cuts, reports GameDaily.

 

The cut is likely to be about 10 percent of a workforce that is estimated at around 2,000 in total, although an exact number has not yet been determined.

 

SCEE's director of corporate communications, Nick Sharples, told GameDaily that the company had informed staff that it was considering a number of redundancies. He added, "Until those consultations are complete, we will not know how many redundancies may be needed. We will not be providing any additional information on this process or making further announcements at the conclusion of the process."

 

According to an allegedly leaked memo reproduced on Web site Destructoid, all European SCEE and WWS (World Wide Studios) employees will, by the end of play on April 18, have been handed envelopes. Inside the envelopes will be a letter from SCEE president and CEO David Reeves, explaining the situation within the company and letting them know whether or not their own position is "at risk."

 

The memo calls it "a difficult business decision" and adds that, "It is something we fought hard to avoid. However, the business targets that we face have regrettably made it unavoidable."

 

The reason for the "streamlining of staff" is the company's bottom line. Sharples is quoted as saying, "The management of the company has concluded that we need to change our structure, streamline and strengthen our business operations--and that our cost base needs to be significantly reduced."

 

A Sony spokesperson confirmed to GameSpot the likelihood that layoffs would indeed be forthcoming, although he declined to further comment at this time.

 

This happened after sony claimed they sold almost 800,000 ps 3. I wonder if sony is giving out the right numbers of ps 3's sold, or is it the cause the sales of the psp and the ps 2 in Europe. The other thing, I can think of is the sales games for the ps 3 is not as high as they expected.

Edited April 17, 2007 by 8th lutz

[zeropolis79]

A friend of mine works for SCEE and despite his excellent career with them thinks he's in line for the axe.

[Atarifever]

A friend of mine works for SCEE and despite his excellent career with them thinks he's in line for the axe.

Actually, despite my dislike of Sony as a company, the employees were my first thought on reading that. Coming from a province with 15-20 percent unemployment I am very familiar with how tough layoffs are.

[zeropolis79]

If Sony lay him off, he'll be able to find work elsewhere. Before going to them, he worked with Lucasarts and designed levels for Battlefront 1!

[Lauren Tyler]

To be honest, I'm not surprised about Sony. They probably see their workforce as expendable, so if the PS3 isn't doing well, they can just axe their workforce.

 

And to be honest, I see a lot of problems swamping Sony now that they've removed the option of buying a $499 PS3 package.

[zeropolis79]

I feel for any employees who are given the sack.. It just gives me one less reason to buy a PS3 and more likely buy a 360 (along with a Wii).

[zeropolis79]

My friend got the sack but he's got half a dozen interviews lined up

[liveinabin]

That's a shame. Best of luck to him.

 

Bit of a serious move for Sony. Not necessarily as bad as it looks though, successful companies do this all the time, heartless though it is. Perhaps if Atari had cut back on some costs in the 80s intead of pissing money, things would have been better for them.

 

I'm almost certain that Sony have been lying through their stinking teeth about UK PS3 sales. It's the most feeble launch ever. The Dreamcast had more impact than this thing.

[keilbaca]

Wow, they still have to cut people after what they done to lik-sang?

 

The sony plant here locally just shut down and moved to mexico, because the state wouldn't give them tax reductions.