Time: 2024-08-01
A recent announcement by Bungie Inc. CEO Pete Parsons revealed that the company would be undergoing a significant restructuring , resulting in the layoff of 220 employees , which amounts to 17 percent of the total workforce . This decision was primarily driven by the increasing costs of development and challenging economic conditions that have plagued the video game industry in recent years . The layoffs come on the heels of a previous round of job cuts that saw 100 employees let go in October of last year , bringing the total reduction of Bungie 's workforce to around 40 percent in the past 12 months.
Parsons mentioned that efforts were being made to integrate 155 affected employees into other departments within Sony Interactive Entertainment , Bungie 's parent company . He also alluded to the fact that the remaining staff at Bungie was actively working on a new game , with plans to spin off an incubation project into a new studio under PlayStation Studios . The new project is described as an action game set in a brand - new science - fantasy universe , showcasing Bungie 's commitment to continued innovation and creativity despite the recent setbacks.
The decision to downsize the workforce was a strategic move aimed at streamlining operations and focusing on fewer , more impactful projects such as Destiny and Marathon . According to Parsons , the rapid growth of the company had led to stretched resources and an over - reliance on existing projects , resulting in quality issues with Destiny 2 's Lightfall expansion and the delay of the upcoming game , Marathon . The challenges faced by Bungie are reflective of broader industry trends , with other major players like Microsoft , Riot Games , Sony , and Electronic Arts also announcing significant layoffs in recent months.
The layoffs at Bungie underscore the volatile nature of the video game industry and the need for companies to adapt to changing market conditions . While the restructuring may present short - term challenges for the affected employees , Parsons assured that efforts were being made to support the team through the transition and retain valuable talent within the organization . As Bungie navigates through this period of change , the focus remains on delivering high - quality gaming experiences and pushing the boundaries of creativity in the industry.