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Firesprite , a video game developer from Liverpool , was acquired by Sony Interactive Entertainment in 2021 . A late composition by Eurogamer has brought attention to allegations of a problematic work surround at the troupe . The report , which includes story from current and former employees who choose to remain anonymous , describes a studio facing challenges adapt to its new ownership .
Accordingto the write up , the allegement include worry about leadership , discrimination , and a declension in company culture . Problems started shortly after the company was take over , with several important people leave , including almost all of the studio ’s original drawing card . Then , new leaders from Sony ’s support studio XDev were chosen , and some employee said they did n’t have enough experience and did n’t have the same economic value as the old leader .
“ Sony has committed the worst potential mistake in buying a studio and meddle to the point where it may terminate up in a dying whorl and ineffectual to complete any of the projects it is working on . ”
The report also includes accusations of discrimination base on sex activity and age against two XDev executive director , allegation that were said to be disregard by Sony following an internal inquiry . Some individuals allegedly took legal action and were counterbalance by Sony .
The pressure to fulfil deadline for the PlayStation VR2 launch title Horizon Call of the Mountain has reportedly head to a culture of crunch and burnout among staff . The project saw its team size double in three months , causing integration difficulties and a transformation in scope and timber .
While some actor recognized efforts to support multifariousness and inclusion under the new leaders , the report overall shows a large reduction in company culture . Former employee describe a change from a antecedently positive and helpful surroundings to one cross off by focus , a deficiency of understanding , and pitiable communication from the leadership .
The office at Firesprite bear witness the ongoing difficultness that secret plan studio experience after being get or merge . However , this may be even more difficult due toSony ’s late layoff and studio closures . balance a good oeuvre surroundings , encounter business goal , and immingle different company culture is a complex challenge in the gaming manufacture .
Sony has not publicly respond to the allegation outlined in the Eurogamer report . If you need to read the whole thing , you ’ll find a flake more contingent , but it is just a bunch of quotes strung together . We ’ve covered the more important bits and made it a piece more graspable . The important part is that many former staff members allegedly had number with the studio apartment after Sony acquired it .
