Bungie, the studio behind the beloved Destiny franchise, has announced the layoff of 220 staff members, representing approximately 17% of its workforce.
In a letter published on Wednesday, the company attributed the decision to "rising costs of development and industry shifts," describing it as one of the most challenging decisions in its history.
Bungie also outlined two significant structural changes within the studio:
1. Deeper Integration with Sony:
The letter reveals that Bungie is deepening its integration with Sony Interactive Entertainment, transferring 155 roles (roughly 12% of its staff) to SIE over the next few quarters.
Pete Parsons, CEO of Bungie, highlighted Sony's commitment to securing roles for as many employees as possible, ensuring the preservation of valuable talent that would otherwise be affected by the layoffs.
2. New Studio within PlayStation Studios:
Bungie is collaborating with PlayStation Studios leadership to establish a new studio within their umbrella. This new studio will focus on developing an exciting action game set in a fresh science-fantasy universe, born from one of Bungie's incubation projects.
This announcement comes following Sony's acquisition of Bungie in 2022.
Support for Affected Staff:
Bungie has committed to providing a generous severance package to all affected employees, including compensation, bonuses, and health insurance coverage.
Future Projects:
Despite the layoffs, Bungie has assured fans that its planned Marathon reboot remains in active development. Over 800 developers are dedicated to the project alongside the ongoing development of the Destiny franchise.
This move by Bungie signifies a period of significant change and adaptation within the studio, as it navigates the evolving landscape of the gaming industry. The decision to integrate further with Sony and establish a new studio within PlayStation Studios indicates a strategic shift towards a closer relationship with the PlayStation ecosystem. While the layoffs are a difficult reality for affected employees, the company's focus on retaining talent and its commitment to future projects like Marathon and Destiny provide a glimmer of optimism for the future.
