Sucker Punch reportedly lays off at least 26 staff after Ghost of Yōtei

Sucker Punch Productions, the PlayStation studio that made Ghost of Yōtei, has been hit by layoffs. The cuts come a little over a year after the PS5 exclusive launched to strong sales and critical praise, which makes the news a sobering one for fans of the studio.

Details are still thin, and much of what is known so far comes from reports rather than an official announcement.

What has been reported

According to Push Square, the Sony-owned studio has reportedly cut at least 26 jobs. The site cites Aftermath, which in turn spoke to an unnamed former Sucker Punch employee. Push Square adds that the studio is estimated to employ roughly 230 people.

Eurogamer also reports that 26 developers were laid off, and its headline includes the phrase "after carefully observing the challenges in the market". The outlet describes Sucker Punch as the studio behind the Sly Cooper series, Infamous and last year's Ghost of Yōtei.

IGN says the studio has laid off some staff, noting that it comes just over a year after the release of its last game. Polygon frames the story in similar terms, saying the layoffs arrived despite the game's high sales and critical acclaim.

A hit game, and still layoffs

The timing is what stands out. IGN notes that the cuts arrive just over a year after the studio's last game, and Polygon stresses that they came despite that game's high sales and critical acclaim. A successful release has not protected the team from job losses.

The figure of 26 is not an official one. It comes from an anonymous source cited by Aftermath, and Push Square describes the cuts as "reportedly" made, so the exact number and the roles affected could change as more information emerges. The reports summarized here do not include a statement from Sony or Sucker Punch.

What is next for the studio

Push Square's headline says Sucker Punch's leadership is now looking ahead to the studio's next PlayStation project. The reports do not say what that project is.

For players, the immediate takeaway is simple. The studio behind Ghost of Yōtei is reportedly smaller than it was, and the people who lost their jobs were let go after a game that did well.

What to watch

• An official statement from Sony or Sucker Punch confirming the number of affected staff.
• Any word on what the studio will work on next.