Square Enix Los Angeles Hit With Layoffs

Square Enix America CEO Mike Fischer may be let go in May.

Square Enix has laid off something like 30-45 staff, a source told Joystiq. Around half of the marketing department, something like 10 people, were laid off. In late June, timed just after E3, about half of the public relations department and the head of Marketing will be let go, something like 4 or 5 people. One of the sources noted that “close to around 20” were laid off in accounting, IT, and events, as well as 5 to 10 who left community and support in the last week. Mike Fischer, Square Enix America’s CEO, will supposedly be let go in May. All told, that comes out at 40 to 50 people.

Joystiq’s sources asked to remain anonymous, for fear that speaking with the press would affect their severance package. The Los Angeles employees were informed that they weren’t being singled out, and that European and Japanese employees would be let go as part of ongoing corporate restructuring. These layoffs come in the wake of the Tomb Raider launch by Square Enix, which was the most successful in the franchise’s history.

Source: Joystiq