Layoffs at Visual Arts Studio
Sony Interactive Entertainment has recently made the difficult decision to lay off an undisclosed number of employees at its San Diego-based Visual Arts studio, as well as at PS Studios Malaysia. This news comes from a report by Kotaku, along with testimonies shared by former employees on LinkedIn.
Impact on Employees
According to sources, employees were notified that March 7 would mark their final day of work. Among those affected are developers who played vital roles in various projects, including a recently canceled live-service game at Bend Studio. Visual Arts has established itself as an essential art and technical support studio, contributing to significant PlayStation titles such as the remastered versions of The Last of Us Part 1 and 2.
Details of the Layoffs
IGN has been able to identify several developers on LinkedIn who have reported their layoffs from Visual Arts, alongside at least one from PS Studios Malaysia. One former employee pointed out that these layoffs stemmed from “multiple project cancellations,” highlighting the challenges the studio is currently facing.
Ongoing Challenges in the Gaming Industry
This marks the second wave of layoffs at Visual Arts within a span of two years, following another round of job cuts that occurred in 2023. As it stands, the exact number of remaining employees at Visual Arts and the current projects they are pursuing remain unclear. IGN has reached out to PlayStation for further clarification.
The layoffs at Sony’s Visual Arts studio reflect a broader trend of job reductions and project cancellations within the gaming industry. Since the beginning of 2023, it has been estimated that over 10,000 game developers have lost their jobs, a number that rose to over 14,000 in 2024. The trend has persisted into 2025, although the figures have become less clear as more studios opt not to disclose specific layoff numbers.
Conclusion
As the gaming landscape evolves, these developments at Sony’s Visual Arts studio serve as a reminder of the industry’s volatility and the impact of project decisions on the workforce. The future remains uncertain for many studios and developers as they navigate these challenging times.
*Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. If you have a story tip, feel free to reach out via email.*
