In a statement released on Bungie’s official website earlier today, CEO Pete Parsons shared the heartbreaking news that the studio behind Destiny 2 and the upcoming extraction shooter Marathon will be laying off roughly 17% of its workforce, affecting over 220 developers.
However, amidst the somber announcement, Parsons also revealed a glimmer of hope: the birth of a new first-party studio under the PlayStation Studios banner.
A New Bungie Game Rises from the Ashes
In his statement, revealing the details about the new studio and the game, Parsons said:
We are working with PlayStation Studios leadership to spin out one of our incubation projects – an action game set in a brand-new science-fantasy universe – to form a new studio within PlayStation Studios to continue its promising development.
This revelation has sparked a wave of speculation and excitement among fans, who are eager to learn more about this mysterious new IP. While details are scarce at the moment, the prospect of a fresh sci-fi action game from the minds behind Destiny is undeniably intriguing.
As Twitter user @WilliamRAguilar pointed out, this news is a small but significant silver lining in an otherwise devastating situation:
This is extremely heartbreaking news for over 200 individuals.
— William R. Aguilar (@WilliamRAguilar) July 31, 2024
However, there are 2 Small Pieces of Good News Mixed In:
🔵They Are Creating a Brand NEW 1st Party PlayStation Studio! making a Brand NEW IP! "To spin out one of our incubation projects – an action game set in a… https://t.co/Khihe0FbJS
It’s also worth noting that while the layoffs are undeniably tragic, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has worked closely with Bungie to find roles for 155 employees within other SIE studios. This collaborative effort has saved a significant number of jobs that would have otherwise been lost.
The Future of Bungie and PlayStation Studios
The announcement of this new studio and IP has naturally led to speculation about Bungie’s future relationship with PlayStation Studios. Some have speculated that this could be the first step towards Bungie becoming more closely integrated with the PlayStation family, potentially losing some of the independence that was promised when the acquisition was finalized.
However, it’s important to remember that Bungie is still actively working on Destiny 2 and Marathon, and Parsons has reaffirmed the studio’s commitment to these projects. The creation of this new studio may simply be a way for Bungie to continue exploring new ideas while maintaining focus on their existing franchises.
For now, our thoughts are with those affected by the layoffs, and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors. As for the new studio and its mysterious sci-fi action game, stay tuned — we’ll be keeping a close eye on any developments and eagerly awaiting more information!
What do you think about this latest development? Are you excited about the prospect of a new sci-fi action game from the minds behind Destiny, or are you more concerned about the future of Bungie and its relationship with PlayStation Studios? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
