Sony Axing 16,000 Jobs

"Sudden and rapid changes in the global economic environment" have forced Sony to cut roughly 8,000 of its 160,000 jobs by April 2010, the company has revealed, with Reuters adding that 8,000 more will be cut from "more temporary and contract staff."

Sony Computer Entertainment--the Sony division responsible for PlayStation manufacturing and game development--will be involved in the forthcoming review.

"To stay competitive in the accelerating global network environment, we will always carefully review and make structural changes, if necessary, in order to further expand and strengthen the PlayStation business," SCE told GamesIndustry.biz.

The cost-cutting measures will also see Sony reduce investments in "unprofitable or non-core businesses" and reduce its focus on LCD and mobile phone technology.