Bungie is planning significant staff cuts after ending development of live-service shooter Destiny 2, with no immediate plans for Destiny 3 and other internal pitches not greenlit.
Sony-owned developer Bungie is preparing for major layoffs following the conclusion of Destiny 2 development, as reported by Bloomberg. The studio recently announced the end of work on Destiny 2, 12 years after the first game's launch. Despite staff pitching new projects, none have been approved, and there are no immediate plans for Destiny 3. Sony, the owner of Bungie, has faced challenges in the live service gaming sector, with recent financial reports reflecting significant impairment charges related to Destiny 2's performance.
Recent releases like Marathon have not met sales expectations, with Sony's investment in Bungie in 2022 marking a significant move into live service games that has not yielded the expected results. The company has also seen setbacks with projects like Firewalk Studios' Concord, which had a short lifespan. Bungie has experienced previous staff reductions, with reports indicating hundreds of departures in 2023 and 2024. The company's former CEO's spending decisions on canceled projects and prolonged development times for titles like Marathon have contributed to its current challenges.
Once a leading name in live-service gaming, Destiny 2 has faced declining player numbers since its launch, with the latest player surge tied to a narrative event in mid-2024. However, attracting new players has become a struggle, leading to concerns about the game's future player base.
