Sucker Punch’s sizeable superhero spin-off inFAMOUS: First Light may be mere days away from its debut on the PlayStation 4, but the Seattle-based studio has been struck by a fresh round of layoffs behind the scenes. There’s no word on how many have departed the firm, but Sony has confirmed that there’s been a “reduction” in the first-party outfit’s workforce over the past few days.
“Sucker Punch is appreciative of the tremendous work [that] team members contributed to the inFAMOUS and Sly Cooper series, and wishes them the best in their next endeavours," a spokesperson said as part of a statement issued to IGN. There’s some speculation that the layoffs included some veterans, which is doubly disappointing.
Nevertheless, these kinds of redundancies are not exactly uncommon in the industry these days, as teams bulk up during production periods, only to downscale again once projects are completed. Seeing as Sucker Punch is predominantly a one game team, we suspect that it will go dark now while it works on its next big thing – presumably a sequel to inFAMOUS: Second Son.
Either way, our thoughts go out to all of those affected. At least they won’t have to wait long to see their legacy written in neon lights, as pink-haired protagonist Fetch will make her feisty return next week on the PS4.
[source uk.ign.com, via computerandvideogames.com]
Comments 14
Not surprising they probably wanted to down size the studio after they finishes their big project (InFamous SS) and now that they've finished it they downsize.
Sony fans always get upset when i express this, but i will state it again anyway. I just do not like this series in my opinion its dull and the worlds always feel idk.. empty in a way. I will say this though second son is a beautiful looking game.
Edit: hopefully they bring in some people who can bring pleasant change to the series because i really really want to like it.
Even though I thought the inFAMOUS games were slightly overrated, I still found them enjoyable. Too bad about the lay-offs. Nobody likes to see that.
Didn't SP only have 100 staff or so in the first place?
Making SS on that crew would have been a feat.
Also this is another reason why I wouldn't want to enter the games industry. Little to no job security.
@Madd_Hatter401 for as "empty" as it is, I'd be much more interested in playing second son for a third time than finishing gta 5 the first time. Something about that world I can't finish. I like it - it just isn't as fun as second son. And I think that's the big thing. They could've probably improved the game in a lot of ways, but to me, it just has great gameplay. I think second son nailed it. I just wish it was longer.
@ztpayne7 to each his own and i can see people loving it, just not my cup of tea. I only played through gta5 once but i did love that game so we just differ a bit. Heres hoping the next Infamous is one we both enjoy
@ztpayne7 I 100 per cent agree with you. I've kept trying, but GTA5 is boring, even though it does have an amazing world. Second Son is just plain fun, on the other hand.
I could neon run through seattle for hours and not get bored. Wow much fun, such gameplay, very excite, wow.
@get2sammyb I really enjoyed SS too and got the platinum trophy which I found way to easy. My only compaint is there wasn't enough content. Aside from the main story there was very little to do. I will be getting First Light next week but I feel it should have been included in the main game as a side mission which SS really needed. I have also never finish a GTA myself due to getting bored but have tonnes of fun just messing around with friends on the mp.
If there's a subject matter that should be immune from puns it's layoffs. I think 'Zapped by layoffs' is a little insensitive, even though I'm sure that wasn't the intention.
@Madd_Hatter401 Infamous is one of the greatest and fun games ever.
I think they'll plan their next project for some time. And after that will gather everyone back.
The sad thing is that we will not get another DLC =).Third something...
It very much follows the trend of other game developers. Employee numbers ramp up closer to a games completion and the company drops it's head count drastically when it's in the planning stage of its next project. Brutal but typical.
I'm surprised, they were already such a small studio. I didn't think yet would follow the layoff after a big project tradition. Another theory, is that they're working on a new IP. The reason being, when they moved from Sly to inFamous, they actually had to let some people go because they didn't want to work on a realistic looking IP. So maybe it's the same pattern here. The new project doesn't appeal to some people.
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