But, what does it mean?
After the usual OMGWTF-responses after the recent announcement/leaked memo that SCEE is laying off 160 people who are suddenly too expensive (redundant), I remain puzzled by the following comment. According to the corp. comm. guy at SCEE, “we are entering a future of increasingly networked and converged entertainment.”
Obviously, we’re talking cost reductions here. Now that Sony owns most of its major franchises, they can do whatever they want, of course. The math wielded in the memo suggests an 8.4% cut of the total 1,900 people employed by SCEE. But looking at the various studios, 160 people is quite a bit: Liverpool: 150; London: 225; Cambridge: 90; Insomniac: 145; Guerrilla: 130. Are we reducing development operations and pimping out the licenses instead?
Leaves me with the question what SCEE is planning to do next. Does this mean that they’re going to open up their IP for fan-mods? What about user-generated content? Does this have anything to do with their announcement about Home? Let’s hope they cut some of the people behind the not-so-successful marketing and launch of the PS3…