SEGA of America to Lay Off 61 Employees Despite Recent Game Success
Hey there, gamers! We’ve got some news that might make you raise an eyebrow. Despite the recent release of the fantastic game Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, SEGA of America has just announced their plan to fire 61 staff members from their American branch. Yeah, I know, it’s a bummer.
Now, you might be wondering where I got this juicy info. Well, it comes from a WARN notice, which is a legal requirement for California-based companies. This notice compels corporate entities to give their employees a 60-day heads-up before letting go of a significant portion of their workforce. In this case, 61 employees make up about 14% of SEGA of America’s current staff.
But wait, there’s more! SEGA of America has been in hot water before for allegedly threatening unionized employees with layoffs without consulting their union first. In November of 2023, sources reported that unionized employees were called into a meeting where they were informed about the plans to phase out temporary staff by February 2024. That would mean saying goodbye to around 80 employees. Ouch!
Now, you might be thinking, “Why is this happening? Is SEGA of America struggling?” Well, my fellow gamers, it’s not just SEGA. The video game industry as a whole has been hit by a massive wave of layoffs. It all started in 2023 when the tech sector downsized, and video game studios big and small were not spared. Companies like Riot Games, Microsoft, 3D Realms, and Team 17 have all had to make adjustments to their workforces. It seems like everyone is feeling the impact.
What’s interesting is that even successful game launches, like Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, don’t guarantee job security. SEGA of America is riding high with their games, including the upcoming Persona 3 Reload, and yet they’re still laying off employees. It’s a tough reality, my friends.
But here’s a glimmer of hope in this gloomy situation. The WARN notice has given the affected staff at SEGA of America some time to prepare themselves for what’s coming. It’s not ideal, but at least they have a small courtesy in the face of uncertainty. Let’s hope these talented individuals land on their feet and that the next company hit by layoffs receives the same consideration.
So, as gamers, let’s support our favorite game developers and studios during these challenging times. They’ve given us countless hours of joy and entertainment, and now it’s our turn to show them some love. Keep gaming, stay strong, and let’s weather this storm together.
Sources:
– [WARN notice](https://twitter.com/WhatLayoff/status/1752495683377004758)
– [Original Kotaku report](https://kotaku.com/sega-sonic-union-layoffs-persona-yakuza-1851026309)