Joe Ziegler, the game director for Bungie's extraction shooter Marathon, has announced his departure from the studio. His exit follows a period of significant layoffs at Bungie and comes just ahead of the game's upcoming mid-season update. Del Chafe III, previously the assistant game director, will assume the role of Game Director.
In a statement, Ziegler confirmed that July 17th would be his last day. He expressed confidence in Chafe and Creative Director Julia Nardin, stating they are "ready to guide Marathon into the next chapter with an even better and brighter future." Ziegler also indicated he is moving on to new opportunities, promising an update on his future endeavors soon. He reassured players that "The mission will continue in new and surprising ways," encouraging them to stay tuned for future developments.
This leadership change adds to a period of considerable flux at Bungie. The studio has reportedly placed significant focus on Marathon, its extraction shooter project. The forthcoming mid-season update is set to introduce the game's first substantial player-versus-environment (PvE) mode, a feature many hope will contribute to the game's evolving appeal.