Ghost of Yotei studio Sucker Punch reportedly lays off 26 developers “after carefully observing the challenges in the market”

Sucker Punch Productions, the PlayStation-owned studio behind Ghost of Yotei, Ghost of Tsushima, Sly Cooper, and Infamous, has conducted a round of layoffs affecting approximately 24-26 employees. This represents roughly 10-12% of the studio’s workforce, which numbers between 200 and 230 staff members.

The layoffs were announced shortly after the release of Ghost of Yotei’s DLC and Complete Edition on PlayStation 5, according to reporting by Aftermath. In an internal email to staff, viewed by Aftermath, studio leadership attributed the decision to two primary factors: “challenges in the market” and staffing adjustments needed for the studio’s next unannounced project.

“After carefully observing the challenges in the market and reviewing the team needs for our next project, we’ve decided to make some staffing reductions,” the studio’s leadership stated in the email. The message emphasized that “we did not make this decision lightly” and noted that the studio worked to support affected colleagues during the transition.

The timing of the layoffs highlights ongoing economic pressures within the game development industry. Despite Ghost of Yotei receiving strong reception as a PlayStation 5 exclusive, the studio is adjusting its workforce as it shifts focus to future projects. This move reflects broader industry-wide challenges that many studios have faced in recent years, balancing project needs with market realities.

The cuts represent a significant moment for Sucker Punch, which has established itself as one of PlayStation’s premier first-party developers with a track record of successful franchises and original titles.

Ghost of Yotei studio Sucker Punch reportedly lays off 26 developers “after carefully observing the challenges in the market”

Sources