Bungie has initiated significant layoffs, affecting the majority of its Destiny 2 development team and some staff working on the upcoming Marathon. The decision, according to a statement from the PlayStation-owned studio, stems from Destiny 2 falling short of expectations in recent years. As a result, the company is undergoing a workforce restructuring to focus on new projects currently in their early stages of development.
These cuts mark the latest in a series of workforce reductions at PlayStation Studios. Bungie, acquired by Sony for $3.6 billion in 2022, has reportedly contributed to a $560 million loss for the company, following previous layoffs and studio closures. This trend has led to widespread criticism, with many viewing the situation as a cautionary tale about the pursuit of live-service games and the potential consequences of mismanagement on development teams.
Industry figures and observers have expressed concern and disappointment regarding the layoffs. Some have highlighted the paradox of major projects being in "early incubation" years after a game's launch, questioning why development teams weren't reassigned sooner. The sentiment among many is that the responsibility lies with leadership, not the developers who delivered the content.
One notable detail highlighted by observers is the near-identical URL structure used by Sony for announcements regarding the Bungie layoffs and the closure of Firewalk Studios, suggesting a pattern of similar actions. The exact number of employees affected remains unknown, though some developers have indicated they are safe from the immediate cuts.