Ex-Sony President Says Those Affected by Layoffs Should “Go to The Beach for a Year”

As a long-time gaming enthusiast who has seen my fair share of industry turbulence, I find Chris Deering’s recent comments about those affected by layoffs to be rather tone-deaf and insensitive. While it’s understandable that he’s trying to offer some form of encouragement, suggesting that someone should “go to the beach for a year” after losing their livelihood is far from helpful or realistic advice.

Former Sony President Chris Deering advised those impacted by recent industry downsizing to “seek an affordable living location and spend a year relaxing at the beach.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve been tuning into the latest episodes of My Perfect Console podcast, and in one of the recent ones, Simon Parkin and Chris Deering delved into the recent wave of layoffs happening across the gaming industry.

Regarding the layoffs, Deering stated, “I don’t believe it’s accurate to claim these reductions were due to greed. I’ve been cautious about increasing our workforce, as I knew there would be fluctuations, and I didn’t want us to face similar issues that Sony faced in Electronics.

Indeed, Sony Studios has undergone some significant layoffs, both in the United States and London. However, it’s worth noting that for several years now, an entire studio setup has been based in Amsterdam. If sales from the latest game aren’t meeting expectations, it might be challenging to continue investing in the next one. It seems like a difficult situation for the managers, but I don’t believe that mastery of this field (game development) will lead to a lifetime of financial hardship or limitations.

Afterward, Deering continued by stating, “It’s still the bustling spot, and it’s somewhat like the pandemic, but this time, you’ll need to adapt and find a way to navigate through it. Perhaps drive for Uber, locate affordable housing, or even relocate for a year to the beach. Stay informed about current events and remain vigilant, as stepping off the path of progress can make it more challenging. However, I am hopeful about the future, even for those who have recently lost their jobs.

“Well, if you’ve recently lost your job and don’t have another one lined up, consider finding an affordable place to stay and taking a break at the beach for a year. It might be just what you need after such a challenging situation.

In 2024, approximately 12,000 individuals found themselves unemployed within the gaming industry, following a similar trend in 2023 where about 10,500 people experienced job loss.

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news and exclusive leaks every week! No Spam.