Sony’s Bend Studio Lays Off 40 Employees, About 30% of Workforce, According to Report
Gregory Deffenbaugh
Update: SIE provided this statement to KTVZ News regarding the reduction in workforce at Sony’s Bend Studio.
“Earlier this year, Bend Studio wrapped development on a live service concept. After careful consideration, we chose not to move forward with it. As the team shifts focus to its next project, we’ve made strategic changes to better position the studio for long-term success. As part of this transition, a workforce reduction has taken place at the studio. This decision was not made lightly, and we are extremely grateful for the meaningful contributions of all those impacted. Bend Studio has been a valued part of PlayStation Studios for decades, and we remain confident in its future and creative direction.”
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Sony’s Bend Studio has laid off about 40 employees, roughly 30 percent of its workforce, according to a report from Bloomberg News. The layoffs, which occurred Tuesday, come as part of a broader restructuring within the company’s gaming division.
Bend Studio, which has operated in Central Oregon for nearly three decades, is known for developing games under Sony’s PlayStation brand. Most notably, the studio created Days Gone, a post-apocalyptic adventure game set in Central Oregon. The game was recently remastered by the studio.
KTVZ photojournalists captured video outside the studio’s Old Mill District facility shortly after news of the layoffs broke. The atmosphere appeared quiet, with no official statement issued by Sony as of Tuesday evening.
However, Bend Studio addressed the layoffs in a post on Instagram within the last hour, writing:
“We are incredibly grateful for our teammates who are affected by today’s changes, and we support them as they transition into their next chapters.”
The social media post did not provide further details on the studio’s future direction, but it did mention that the team is moving forward with a new project.
KTVZ has reached out to Bend Studio multiple times and is currently on-site working to gather more information. We will continue to update this story as it develops both on-air and online at ktvz.com.
Stay with KTVZ for continuing coverage.