- Status: Confirmed
- Affected Teams: Most of the Destiny 2 development team, some Marathon team members, and supporting Sony staff.
- Context: Third major layoff wave since Sony acquired Bungie in 2022.
Bungie has officially confirmed a significant reduction in force across its studio, impacting the majority of the team responsible for Destiny 2 and several members working on the upcoming Marathon title. This announcement follows weeks of speculation and comes shortly after the developer concluded live-service updates for Destiny 2.
The scope of the cuts
The layoffs are extensive, affecting what Bungie describes as a “significant number of employees.” The brunt of the restructuring falls on the Destiny 2 division, with most of that team impacted. Additionally, some developers working on Marathon, Sony’s next-generation first-person shooter project, have also lost their positions.
Beyond Bungie’s internal staff, the cuts extend to certain employees at Sony who previously provided support services to the studio. This marks the third major round of workforce reductions since Sony Interactive Entertainment acquired Bungie for $3.6 billion in 2022. Previous significant cuts occurred in October 2023 and July 2024, with the latter involving the transfer of 155 employees from Bungie to Sony’s broader workforce.
Bungie’s statement on the restructuring
In a public letter addressed to fans, current staff, and former employees, Bungie leadership acknowledged the difficult reality behind the decision. The studio admitted that Destiny 2 “fell short of expectations” over the past several years. With the final content update for the game now complete and future projects still in early stages of development, Bungie stated it could no longer sustain its previous operational size.
The leadership team expressed gratitude and compassion to those affected, noting that while the changes are necessary to position the studio for the future, they do not diminish the profound impact on employees, their families, and teammates. The letter did not provide specific details on future projects, stating only that more information would be shared later.
What this means for you
For Windows gamers who play Destiny 2, the immediate implication is that the game’s live-service lifecycle has officially ended. While existing servers will remain active, the development resources dedicated to new content, balance patches, and community engagement have been drastically reduced. The impact on Marathon remains unclear; while some staff were let go, Sony has not announced any cancellation of the title.
The restructuring highlights the volatile nature of post-acquisition studio integration. Former Bungie community manager Liana Ruppert previously suggested that financial pressures and leadership decisions contributed to the studio’s struggles, describing the Sony acquisition as an “emergency” measure to prevent closure. Whether these cuts stabilize Bungie for long-term success or signal further contraction remains to be seen.
Source: Windows Central
Over to you: Do you think Sony should continue funding Marathon despite these cuts, or focus resources on other PlayStation exclusives?
