Sucker Punch Productions, the developer behind the successful PlayStation 5 title Ghost of Yōtei, has undergone a round of layoffs. Reports indicate that approximately 24 employees, representing about 10-12% of the studio's workforce, have been let go.
In an internal email to staff, studio leadership cited "challenges in the market and reviewing the team needs for our next project" as the reason for the staffing reductions. The email acknowledged the difficulty of the decision and assured affected employees of support during the transition, with further details about the studio's future planned for the following week. Sucker Punch has around 200 to 230 employees.
Critical and Commercial Success
Ghost of Yōtei, released last fall, garnered significant praise from critics and players alike, achieving an 86 Metascore on Metacritic. The game was a contender for numerous awards in 2025, securing wins for Adventure Game of the Year, Outstanding Achievement in Character, and Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition at the DICE Awards.
The game's commercial performance has also been strong. As of October 2026, it is estimated to have sold 5.4 million copies and generated over $400 million in revenue. Alinea Analytics reported in June 2026 that Ghost of Yōtei was Sony's top-selling first- or second-party game of the year, with 1.1 million copies sold and $77.6 million in revenue.
Details about Sucker Punch's next project remain undisclosed. Since 2020, the studio's releases have exclusively been related to the Ghost franchise, including its acclaimed expansion, Ghost of Yōtei: Echoes of Sekigahara. Previously, Sucker Punch was known for the Sly Cooper and Infamous series.