Sony Computer Entertainment America slices payroll

[7th lutz]

The specter of post-PlayStation 3 launch layoffs at Sony Computer Entertainment first arose at its European operations in April, and the publisher's workforce cuts have now arrived in the US. Sony Computer Entertaiment America senior director of coporate PR Dave Karraker has confirmed that a "streamlining" is underway at the company's Foster City, California headquarters.

"In an effort to accurately align the company to meet the changing needs of our consumers and of our industry, Sony Computer Entertainment America has found it necessary to analyze our current business and to restructure the company as necessary to continue our standing as the market leader," Karraker said. "These restructuring efforts are currently underway and do include the streamlining of our operations and other initiatives to further strengthen the business, reduce costs and increase operational efficiency."

Karraker did not reveal how many SCEA staffers had been let go. According to a unconfirmed report on the popular blog Kotaku, 80 to 100 employees at Sony Computer Entertainment America's Foster City location were laid off yesterday. The article says management blamed the decision on multi-billion dollar losses and increasing next-gen development costs.

[Clownzilla]

Well, this is what happens when a company makes products that are too restrictive, too expensive, and too out of alignment with what the public wants and what the competition makes. I think Sony is a ship that is sinking fast. Give them another few years, and you will see Sony do this MUCH more often, opening the door to the new electronic giant of the world............Samsung.

[Richter Belmount]

Damn , I think they would of recovered from psp atleast if they had took the freakin security restrictions off the thing. Then it has a better selling point with homebrew emulators on it.

[Jorpho]

That's some impressive buzzword-spinning up there.

Damn , I think they would of recovered from psp atleast if they had took the freakin security restrictions off the thing. Then it has a better selling point with homebrew emulators on it.

People who want to run homebrew will find ways around the security restrictions. If Sony were to give the green light to that kind of thing (even if they did it really quietly), they'd end up having to support it one way or another: having to support PSPs somehow adversely affected by homebrew, taking the blame when something they didn't make and someone doesn't like ends up becoming widespread, etc.