SOE loses 4% of its staff
35 walk from Sony Online in cost-cutting "efficiency" drive
Sony has confirmed redundancies at its in-house MMO developer, SOE.
35 staffers have seen their jobs "eliminated", despite the apparently ongoing success of youngsters' MMO Free Realms and the impending launch of Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures.
"In a move to better align the company's resources against areas of growth that meet consumer demand in today's online market as well as improve operational efficiency," an SOE spokesperson told IndustryGamers, "Sony Online Entertainment has eliminated just over 4% of its full-time workforce, equaling 35 people.
"The changes will better position SOE to deliver against its emphasis on developing games for a wider, more diverse audience and remaining a worldwide leader in online gaming."
This follows the loss of 41 staff last year, when SOE issued a somewhat familiar statement:
"In a move to increase operational efficiency and reduce costs, Sony Online Entertainment has eliminated 5% of its full-time workforce, equaling 41 people."