Bungie Allegedly Responsible for Layoff Decisions, Not Sony
New details emerge on Bungie's recent layoffs, suggesting that the studio itself made the decision to let go of staff, contradicting initial reports that Sony was responsible
Article Key Points
Bungie's recent decision to lay off staff has shocked its fanbase and has been a blow to its public image and the confidence of the Destiny 2 community.
Bungie management, not Sony, made the decision to terminate staff, as per an anonymous internal source, a surprising revelation for many fans. The staff layoffs at Bungie align with a broader trend of workforce reductions within Sony-owned studios, such as Naughty Dog, Visual Arts, and Media Molecule. This has sparked concerns regarding the future of the Destiny franchise.
Bungie's recent decision to lay off staff has shocked their fanbase and new sources have revealed that the decision was made by Bungie management, not Sony, who recently acquired the studio. The exact number of employees affected is undisclosed, but it includes long-time contributors to the studio's successful titles. This sudden staff reduction has had a significant impact on Bungie's reputation and the confidence of the Destiny 2 community.
The gaming industry was taken aback by Bungie's decision, especially after a report from Kotaku. Prominent figures such as art director Lorraine McLees, community manager Liana Ruppert, and even composer Michael Salvatori were confirmed to have been laid off, as announced through social media. Unfortunately, layoffs have become increasingly common in the gaming and technology sectors in recent years. Bungie now joins other Sony-owned studios, including Naughty Dog, Visual Arts, and Media Molecule, in experiencing staff cuts this month.
The recent layoffs at Bungie have sparked speculation and confusion online, but new information from an undisclosed internal source reveals that the decision to terminate staff was made by Bungie management and not the parent company. This news has shocked many fans of Bungie's popular online shooter title, as it contradicts previous beliefs that Sony was responsible for the layoffs. Additionally, terminated employees at Bungie will only receive benefits, excluding health insurance, until the end of the month, resulting in just one day of coverage for these benefits. This development has raised concern among fans of Bungie and their flagship MMO title Destiny 2, as the loss of key figures within the development and production teams has left them worried about the franchise's future.
While there hasn't been an official confirmation from the studio, reports indicate that Bungie is anticipating a delay in the release of Destiny 2's forthcoming expansion, The Final Shape, to June of 2024, as a result of the recent layoffs. Speculation also suggests that the studio's upcoming extraction shooter and reboot, Marathon, may also face a delay until 2025.
Destiny 2
Released on August 28, 2017, Destiny 2 by Bungie is a popular online first-person shooter (FPS) game that seamlessly combines single-player and multiplayer gameplay. With its dynamic and ever-changing features, the game has garnered a dedicated fan base. It is available on platforms such as PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC, and Stadia. Developed and published by Bungie, Destiny 2 falls under the genres of FPS, multiplayer, online multiplayer, and online co-op.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I'm deeply saddened and concerned about the recent layoffs at Bungie. The news came as a shock to the Destiny 2 community, and it's hard to believe that the studio responsible for creating such an iconic game would resort to laying off staff. It's especially disheartening to hear that long-time contributors to the studio's successful titles were among those let go. This sudden staff reduction has had a significant impact on Bungie's reputation and the confidence of the Destiny 2 community.
The fact that the decision to terminate staff was made by Bungie management, and not Sony, is a surprising revelation. It contradicts previous beliefs that Sony was responsible for the layoffs, and it raises questions about the future of the Destiny franchise. Bungie's decision to lay off staff is especially concerning in light of the recent delays to Destiny 2's forthcoming expansion, The Final Shape, and the studio's upcoming extraction shooter and reboot, Marathon. These delays suggest that the studio is facing some significant challenges, and it's unclear how the layoffs will impact the development of these upcoming titles.
Overall, I'm disappointed and concerned about the recent layoffs at Bungie. The studio's decision to let go of staff has had a significant impact on the Destiny 2 community, and it raises questions about the future of the franchise. I hope that Bungie can weather this storm and come out stronger on the other side.
