Sucker Punch cuts 26 jobs despite Ghost of Yotei success

Sony‑owned Sucker Punch Productions, the studio behind Ghost of Yotei, has reportedly cut 26 jobs as it prepares for its next project. The studio employs roughly 230 people. The layoffs came to light through an internal email that Aftermath verified, based on an unnamed former employee.

Cutting staff amid market pressures

The email said: “After carefully observing the challenges in the market and reviewing the team needs for our next project, we’ve decided to make some staffing reductions. Several positions across Sucker Punch will be eliminated as a result.” It added that the decision was not taken lightly and that the studio would support affected colleagues.

Ghost of Yotei has sold more than five million copies since it launched last year. The studio released Ghost of Yotei: Complete Edition earlier this month, adding a new narrative expansion called Echoes of Sekigahara. Video Games Chronicle called the game a “touching samurai epic” in its review, and said it improves on the original in every department.

Sucker Punch was acquired by Sony in August 2011, two months after the launch of Infamous 2 on the PlayStation 3. Its earlier work includes Infamous and the Sly Cooper series.

Leadership said that next week they would provide more details about the future, but the email did not specify the forthcoming title.