Bungie plans to make revisions to its upcoming content, including The Final Shape expansion, following recent reports of layoffs impacting 8% of its workforce. However, Bungie has not officially confirmed whether the release date for The Final Shape will be delayed until June, as previously rumored. In a blog post on their website, Bungie mentioned their intention to incorporate player feedback into the development of The Final Shape.
"In the coming weeks, we will provide you with more updates about our upcoming plans, starting with our next Season in late November," the statement explains. "Additionally, we will unveil our team's ambitious and vibrant vision for The Final Shape, along with the strategy to guide us out of the Darkness and into the Light."
Bungie's recent statement represents their first public communication since the reported layoffs that occurred earlier this week. According to Bloomberg, there are speculations that as many as 100 employees, approximately 8% of Bungie's 1,200 staff, were let go. The report also indicates that the revenue generated by Destiny 2 following the release of Lightfall, which was poorly received, is 45% below the studio's expected projections.
Staff members expressed their surprise about the layoffs on Twitter and through anonymous reports. Bloomberg reported that the developers had been desperately requesting Bungie's leadership to make alterations to the game in an attempt to regain the interest of the players after Lightfall.
In response, Bungie acknowledged the feedback regarding Lightfall and other content in their post.
"We sincerely appreciate the feedback and concerns expressed regarding Lightfall and recent Seasons, as well as the reactions to the unveiling of The Final Shape," states the statement. "We recognize that we have unfortunately lost a significant amount of your trust. Destiny should consistently offer unexpected and enjoyable experiences. We acknowledge our failure in delivering this, but we are committed to bringing about a positive transformation."
The post concludes with Bungie expressing their aspiration for The Final Shape to be revered as one of the finest games they have ever created.
We are determined to make The Final Shape in Destiny an unforgettable experience. Our goal is to create something that is on par with our best games, truly honoring the ten-year journey we have been on together. Forsaken, The Witch Queen, and The Taken King serve as our benchmarks and we strive to meet that level of excellence.
While not explicitly stated, the implication in the post is that there will be changes to the expansion based on player feedback, indicating a possible delay from the February release date. It is also uncertain how Bungie will handle the next content season, which would become the longest ever at seven months if The Final Shape is indeed scheduled for a June release.
The news of the layoffs at Bungie, which affected key members of various teams such as community management, social media, art, and music, seems to have worsened the company's reputation among Destiny 2 players. CEO Pete Parsons' tweets, expressing regret over the layoffs without acknowledging responsibility, received negative reactions on Twitter. There have been posts on Twitter and Reddit indicating that some players are cancelling their preorders for The Final Shape in response to the news. Additionally, Destiny 2 content creators like MyNameIsByf, Fallout Plays, and Aztecross have all uploaded videos on YouTube speculating that the layoffs will have a detrimental impact on the game and its community.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan of Destiny 2, I am deeply concerned about the recent layoffs at Bungie and the impact they will have on the game's future. The layoffs have affected key members of various teams, including community management, social media, art, and music, which are all essential for the game's success.
The news of the layoffs has also raised concerns about the release date of The Final Shape, which is the highly anticipated conclusion to the Light and Darkness saga. Bungie has not officially confirmed whether the release date will be delayed, but there are rumors that it could be pushed back to June. This would be a major disappointment for fans who have been eagerly awaiting the expansion's release.
Overall, I am feeling very pessimistic about the future of Destiny 2. The layoffs have shaken my confidence in Bungie's ability to deliver on their promises, and I am worried that the game will suffer as a result. I hope that Bungie can turn things around, but I am not optimistic about the chances.
