You might have heard rumors this week that SOE is preparing for layoffs. It turns out that some of those rumors are true. Destructoid contacted Sony Online Entertainment for an official statement earlier this morning. We now know that 205 employees from the Denver, Seattle and Tuscon offices will be cut in this elimination, a move that is expected to reduce costs and streamline business.
Here’s an official statement:
As part of a strategic decision to reduce costs and streamline its global workforce, SOE announced today that it will eliminate 205 positions and close its Denver, Seattle and Tucson studios. As part of this restructuring, SOE is discontinuing production of The Agency so it can focus development resources on delivering two new MMOs based on its renowned PlanetSide and EverQuest properties, while also maintaining its current portfolio of online games. All possible steps are being taken to ensure team members affected by the transition are treated with appropriate concern.
This strategic decision will have no impact on SOE’s current portfolio of live games; additionally SOE will transition development efforts for the Denver and Tucson studios’ suite of products to its San Diego headquarters. This strategic alignment of development resources better positions SOE to remain a global leader in online gaming and deliver on its promise of creating entertaining games for players of all ages, and servicing the 20 million players that visited SOE servers in just the past year.
It sounds like they’re focusing their efforts and getting down to business. Our best goes out to those 205 that have lost a great gig.
