Ex-Sony Exec Blames Economic Realities for 22,000 Gaming Layoffs, Faces Backlash for 'Elitist' Remarks

September 11, 2024
Ex-Sony Exec Blames Economic Realities for 22,000 Gaming Layoffs, Faces Backlash for 'Elitist' Remarks
  • By May 2024, the number of job losses in the gaming sector had surpassed 11,500, reflecting a troubling trend of workforce reductions.

  • Notably, recent layoffs included half of Rocksteady's Q&A team, following the poor performance of 'Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.'

  • Deering's comments have sparked significant backlash on social media, with critics labeling his perspective as elitist and calling for greater unionization within the industry.

  • He attributed the layoffs to economic realities, such as poor financial performance of games and declining consumer spending, rather than corporate greed.

  • Chris Deering, the former president of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, recently made controversial remarks during a podcast regarding the ongoing layoffs in the gaming industry.

  • This year has been particularly challenging for the gaming sector, with over 22,000 layoffs reported between January 2023 and June 2024, despite increasing revenue.

  • While acknowledging that greed exists in the industry, Deering emphasized that the primary drivers of layoffs are financial challenges and market conditions.

  • His suggestions for laid-off workers to drive for Uber or take vacations were criticized as tone-deaf, reflecting a disconnect from the financial struggles many are facing.

  • The gaming industry continues to grapple with significant job losses, with over 20,000 layoffs reported in the past two years, affecting major companies like Microsoft and Sony.

  • Deering noted that many laid-off employees likely received decent severance packages, which could assist them during their transition.

  • Despite the current difficulties, Deering expressed optimism for those affected, suggesting they could find alternative employment and return to the industry when conditions improve.

  • Deering's remarks highlight broader issues within the gaming industry, underscoring the need for systemic changes to prevent future layoffs.

Summary based on 11 sources


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