Allegations of 'Toxic Culture' Surface at PlayStation-Owned Studio
Following the recent layoffs at Sony, a PlayStation studio faces accusations of maintaining a toxic work environment within its premises.
Firesprite, a developer owned by Sony, is facing accusations of toxicity and discrimination, as well as experiencing a significant loss of talent. These accusations come after Sony's recent job cuts, which affected approximately 900 employees, including some at Firesprite.
Before being acquired by Sony in 2021, Firesprite worked on a few PlayStation exclusives such as Run Sackboy Run. The studio is now most recognized for its VR titles, particularly Horizon Call of the Wild. Sony's acquisition of Firesprite was part of a larger spending spree during a period of substantial growth for the company. This buyout led to significant structural and leadership changes at the studio, which some employees believe have negatively impacted the company's culture. However, some employees on Glassdoor have expressed support for Sony's takeover, noting that it has improved the studio's efficiency and effectiveness.
Accusations of Bullying and Discrimination Leveled Against XDev and Firesprite Leadership
It appears that the culture at Firesprite, a studio on the rise, may have significant issues, as claimed by current and former employees. According to Eurogamer, leaders from XDev, a Sony support studio brought in to assist Firesprite after being acquired in 2021, have been accused of engaging in sex-based discrimination and ageism. Although Sony's internal investigation concluded that these claims were a "misunderstanding," concerns remain. In addition to these serious accusations, XDev leadership has also been accused of creating a hostile work environment characterized by bullying and fear, making Firesprite a stressful place to work. It is worth noting that a high number of employees left Firesprite last year, shortly after receiving a retention bonus.
The past few weeks have been tough for PlayStation, with Sony's stock dropping due to lower sales projections and disappointing profits. The company's reputation has also suffered from layoffs at PlayStation studios, causing backlash from gamers and the media. Reports of toxic behavior at a PlayStation-owned studio, mainly blaming XDev and PlayStation, are adding to the negative publicity the brand is facing.
Although these allegations are not yet proven, details such as Firesprite losing talent last year make them seem believable. Some may see Sony dismissing the claims as "misunderstandings" as avoiding further backlash from fans. Eurogamer mentioned that some employees with inside knowledge have not spoken out yet, so it remains to be seen how Firesprite's culture will develop.
