Bungie Announces Layoffs, Says “Destiny 2 Fell Short of Expectations”

Bungie has announced layoffs as part of a studio reorganization, saying Destiny 2 fell short of expectations over the past several years.

Bungie has announced a new round of layoffs as the studio begins a major reorganization, and the message shared by the company is a tough one for Destiny fans and developers alike.

In a statement posted through its social channels, Bungie said it is carrying out a “reduction in force” as it reorganizes the company. The studio also acknowledged that Destiny 2 has not performed the way it had hoped in recent years.

“As the leaders of Bungie, past and present, we recognize Destiny 2 fell short of expectations these past several years,” Bungie said in the statement.

Bungie Layoffs Confirmed as Studio Reorganizes After Destiny 2’s Final Update

The company added that, after its final content update for Destiny 2 and with future projects still in early incubation, it could no longer keep operating at its previous size.

Reports had already suggested that Bungie was preparing to lay off a considerable number of employees after Destiny 2’s final live service update. Bungie has now confirmed those cuts, directly pointing to Destiny 2 falling short of expectations, the end of major content work on the game, and future projects still being too early in development to sustain the studio’s previous size.

Update, June 25, 7:57 AM PT: Sony has confirmed that Bungie layoffs have affected “most of the Destiny team” and some Marathon staff.

Bungie did not share how many employees have been affected by the layoffs. It also did not name specific teams, departments, or projects impacted by the cuts. For now, the studio is keeping those details private.

Read the full statement below:

“With great sadness, we are announcing a reduction in force as we reorganize Bungie.

“As the leaders of Bungie, past and present, we recognize Destiny 2 fell short of expectations these past several years. Following our final content update to Destiny 2, and with our future projects still in early incubation, we unfortunately could not continue operating at our previous size.

“We know this decision has a profound impact on the people affected, their families, friends, and teammates. While these changes are necessary to best position the studio now and for the future, that does not lessen the difficulty of this moment or the impact it has on those affected.

“Later, we will share more about that future with you all but today is not that day.

“Today, we wish to extend our gratitude and compassion to every member of the Bungie team who has been impacted and to those who remain.

“We hope you will do the same.”

For Destiny players, this comes at a major turning point. Destiny 2 has been Bungie’s biggest game, but the studio has already confirmed that the game’s final content update marks the end of planned live service updates. The game will remain playable, but its future will look very different from the yearly expansions and seasonal updates that defined much of its run.

The bigger question now is what Bungie looks like after Destiny 2. Marathon remains the studio’s next and only major project for now, but Bungie’s statement makes it clear that other future projects are still early.

For now, though, the focus is on the people affected. Bungie closed its statement by asking the community to show gratitude and compassion to those impacted, as well as those who remain at the studio.

What arer your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments below!