LittleBigPlanet, Dreams Developer Media Molecule Reportedly Planning To Lay Off 20 Employees

Media Molecule is reported to be laying off around 20 staffers. This is because they are the studio behind Dreams, LittleBigPlanet and PlayStation’s first-party games. This is according to an article from Sports Illustrated’s GLHFThe studio held a meeting today to discuss the impending layoffs. 

According to the report, layoffs will reduce team personnel by between 15 and 20%. This would result in a reduction from 135 to about 115 employees. GLHF. The report doesn’t indicate a specific reason why beyond staff reduction, but Game Informer PlayStation was contacted by us to verify the number of layoffs as well as the reasons behind them. Also, we asked if the affected employees would receive severance. This story will be updated if PlayStation responds with more details or comments. 

Media Molecule began as an independent studio, but was acquired by PlayStation in 2010. LittleBigPlanet 2 Tearaway & Dreams is the work of this team. You can read more about it. Game Informer Check out the LittleBigPlanet2 review and our Dreams Review. 

These reported Media Molecule layoffs join an unfortunately ever-growing list of layoffs affecting the studios behind games released in 2023, which by all accounts is one of the best years in gaming in terms of releases. Microsoft laid off 10,000 staff in January amid its $69 Billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The deal was finalized earlier this month. 

BioWare and Mass Effect developers laid off over 50 staffers, among them long-time studio vets, in August. Ascendant Studios’ Immortals of Aveum team laid off 45% of staff the following month in September. 

Telltale Games and Naughty Dog have both laid off staff this month. The actual number of layoffs has yet to be revealed.  

You can find the hearts of animals in the midst of nature. Game Informer The staff is with all those who are affected by the layoffs as well as those at studio. 

[Source: GLHF]