The gaming community has been hit with a wave of unexpected news as Bungie, the renowned studio behind Destiny 2, has confirmed layoffs within its team. This unfortunate development has also led to the delay of the highly anticipated “Destiny 2: The Final Shape” expansion and the new Marathon game.
Bungie CEO Pete Parsons took to Twitter to address the situation, expressing his sadness over the departure of valued colleagues who have significantly contributed to the studio’s success. He highlighted the immense talent of the affected individuals and encouraged other companies to consider them for openings.
The layoffs have impacted various departments, including editorial, recruiting, and quality assurance. Some of the affected employees have publicly confirmed their departure, including former social media lead Griffin Bennett and franchise editor Jason Guisao.
In addition to the staff changes, Bungie has reportedly delayed the release of “Destiny 2: The Final Shape” from February to June. The new Marathon game is also now expected to launch in 2025. These delays are a significant shift in Bungie’s roadmap, and they underscore the challenges the studio is currently facing.
Despite these setbacks, Bungie remains a key player in the gaming industry, having been acquired by Sony in 2022. The acquisition aimed to leverage Bungie’s expertise in community and live-service games, as demonstrated by the success of Destiny 2.
The gaming industry has witnessed a series of layoffs recently, affecting both independent and first-party studios. Bungie’s situation reflects a broader trend, highlighting the instability within the sector.
As the gaming community processes this news, there is a collective hope for the well-being of the affected employees and anticipation for the future releases from Bungie.
