In a recent turn of events, renowned video game studio Naughty Dog, known for blockbuster titles like Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and The Last of Us Part II, finds itself in the midst of challenging times. Reports from Kotaku reveal that the Santa Monica-based PlayStation first-party studio has initiated a series of layoffs, affecting contract developers across various departments, with a notable impact on quality assurance testing.
Sources familiar with the situation disclosed that layoffs were communicated internally last week, affecting departments spanning from art to production. However, the most significant impact was felt in the quality assurance testing domain. Approximately 25 developers, primarily on contract, have been affected by this downsizing. It’s worth noting that full-time staff appear to have been spared from these cuts, and Naughty Dog’s headcount, which stood at over 400 as of July, remains largely intact.
In a surprising twist, sources indicate that no severance packages are being offered to the impacted developers. Moreover, both the affected individuals and those remaining in the studio are allegedly under pressure to keep the news discreet. Contracts are set to be officially terminated at the end of October, with affected developers expected to continue working through the remainder of the month. Despite these challenges, Sony has not provided an official comment on the matter.
The layoffs follow closely on the heels of reports regarding struggles in the development of a multiplayer spin-off for The Last of Us. This spin-off, centered around the first game’s Factions mode, has reportedly faced setbacks, with resources being diverted away following a negative internal review by Bungie, the live-service powerhouse behind Destiny 2, which was recently acquired by Sony. While not officially canceled, sources suggest that the multiplayer project is effectively on hold.
These layoffs also come amid a period of transition for Naughty Dog. Co-president Evan Wells announced his retirement, effective at the end of 2023, after a 19-year tenure with the studio. Around the same time, Neil Druckmann, creative director and lead co-writer on recent Naughty Dog titles, revealed a restructuring of the studio’s leadership. These changes mark a pivotal moment for Naughty Dog, raising questions about the studio’s future direction and the impact on ongoing projects.
What do you think about this? Would it have been better if Sony had not sought advice from Bungie?