Sony has reportedly conducted layoffs at its Visual Arts studio in San Diego, as well as at PS Studios Malaysia, according to a recent Kotaku report and statements from former employees on LinkedIn. The news comes after staff were informed that March 7 would be their final day. Among those affected were developers who had contributed to multiple projects, including work tied to a recently canceled live-service game at Bend Studio.
Visual Arts, an art and technical support studio under Sony’s umbrella, has long provided creative and technical assistance to PlayStation's first-party studios. Their contributions include major titles such as *The Last of Us Part 1* and *Part 2* remasters. As reported by IGN, several former Visual Arts employees have taken to LinkedIn confirming their departure, with one noting the layoffs were “due to multiple project cancellations.” At least one individual from PS Studios Malaysia also confirmed their layoff through similar channels.
This marks the second round of layoffs at the Visual Arts studio within the past two years, following a prior wave in 2023 that also impacted an undisclosed number of employees. Details remain unclear regarding how many individuals are still employed at the studio and what—if any—projects they may currently be working on. IGN has contacted PlayStation for official comment but has yet to receive a response.
These developments continue a troubling trend across the gaming industry, which has seen thousands of job losses over the past few years. In 2023 alone, more than 10,000 developers were laid off globally. That figure climbed to over 14,000 in 2024, and while exact numbers for 2025 remain difficult to track due to reduced transparency from some studios, it’s evident the downturn is far from over.
