Sucker Punch, the PlayStation studio behind the hit game Ghost of Yōtei, has reportedly undergone staffing reductions, with 24 employees being let go. This decision comes despite the game's significant commercial success. According to an internal email obtained by Aftermath and confirmed by a former employee, the layoffs represent approximately a 10% reduction in the studio's workforce.
Ghost of Yōtei achieved remarkable sales figures, selling 3.3 million copies within its first month of release, making it the 11th best-selling game in the US for 2025. Its strong performance continued, surpassing 5 million copies sold within a few months and exceeding the initial sales period of its predecessor, Ghost of Tsushima.
The internal communication from Sucker Punch stated, "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." The message acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, assuring staff that the decision was not made lightly and that support would be provided to affected colleagues during the transition. Further details regarding the studio's future plans were expected to be shared the following week.
This news arrives amidst a challenging period for the wider video game industry. Factors such as the rising cost of game development, outpacing sales prices, and the effects of pandemic-era overhiring have contributed to instability. The industry has seen numerous layoffs across various studios, leading to concerns about its overall health. The situation at Sucker Punch highlights the complex economic pressures facing even successful development teams.