It's too bad that its success didn't stop SOE from laying off 5% of its workforce. I also have to laugh at their claimed leadership role in the online games industry. I guess they chose to ignore Blizzard much like they chose to ignore Nintendo and Microsoft when they also claimed official leadership in the video game industry this year. I guess Sony has a leadership role in just about everything they do these days.
http://kotaku.com/5317168/layoffs-hit-sony-online-entertainment
Layoffs Hit Sony Online Entertainment
By Mike Fahey, 1:20 PM on Fri Jul 17 2009, 7,825 views
Despite the runaway success of Free Realms and the growing anticipation for DC Universe Online, Sony Online Entertainment feels the layoff lash, confirming a 5% workforce reduction with Kotaku.
Upon getting word of the layoffs from IndustryGamers, we contacted our SOE rep to see if we could glean any more information regarding the layoffs, which have eliminated 41 full-time employees. SOE quickly shot back the same official statement the other site received:
In a move to increase operational efficiency and reduce costs, Sony Online Entertainment has eliminated 5% of its full-time workforce, equaling 41 people. SOE looks forward to continuing its leadership role in the online games industry as it celebrates the highly successful launch of Free Realms, the 10-year commemoration of its ground-breaking EverQuest franchise, and the continued performance of the company's other games.
(more at the link)
