It doesn’t matter whether Destiny 2’s Final Form expansion delivers “a blockbuster performance,” Bungie’s latest layoffs were reportedly in the works ahead of its release and were “unavoidable,” even if The hype surrounding the DLC is also “inevitable”.
That’s according to a report from Stephen Totilo’s Game File, which cited multiple sources saying this week’s round of layoffs is already planned to begin in early 2024. People’s roles have also changed.
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The report goes on to quote an unnamed former Bungie employee who said that if the studio is not acquired by Sony in 2022, “the other story is bankruptcy.” Bungie’s repeated failure to meet financial goals set by Sony is said to have led its management to conclude last year that – as if the studio’s autonomy was at risk – it would “significantly cut expenses to demonstrate to Sony executives , it is taking action”. Take financial management seriously.”
These cuts have now been made in two tranches, with the latest taking place in late October 2023.
“I think Sony overpaid for Bungie,” a former employee told Totilo. “I think Bungie sold out something they couldn’t deliver.” The developer’s view cited in the report is that compared to Sony, Their growing dissatisfaction with Bungie management over the situation the studio finds itself in seems to mirror the sentiments expressed by former employees on social media following the latest layoff announcements, with CEO Pete Parsons facing calls to resign .
Parsons wrote in the layoff announcement that 2023 is a year of “rapid expansion” for Bungie [run] A widespread economic slowdown, a steep decline in the gaming industry, the poor quality of Destiny 2: Lightfall, and the need to give Final Form and Marathon enough time to ensure both projects meet the quality players expect , he added that the studio was “overly ambitious” and “subsequently exceeded its financial safety margin,” causing Bungie to “lose money.”
For now, Bungie’s remaining employees will focus entirely on Destiny 2 and Marathon, with the latter having news of a director change in March this year.
