This morning, Bungie Studio announced significant changes due to rising development costs, industry shifts, and economic conditions. Effective immediately, 220 roles, or 17% of the workforce, will be eliminated to refocus efforts on Destiny and Marathon. This decision impacts all levels, including executive and senior leader roles.

To support affected employees, Bungie is offering generous exit packages with severance, bonuses, and health coverage. Despite the success of The Final Shape, the studio must adjust to economic realities and set realistic financial goals.

Bungie is also integrating 155 roles into Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) and spinning off an incubation project into a new studio within PlayStation Studios. These changes aim to leverage Sony's strengths and create new opportunities for Bungie talent.

The studio's rapid expansion and economic slowdown, coupled with the underperformance of Destiny 2: Lightfall, necessitated this decision. Bungie remains committed to making great games, with over 850 team members continuing to develop Destiny and Marathon. The immediate focus, however, is on supporting affected employees through this transition.

Many have noted that these challenges were foreseeable as Bungie appeared to prioritize content creators over the actual player base, which contributed to the current situation.