**Bungie Acknowledges Large-Scale Job Cuts During Reorganization**
Earlier today, Bungie, the creator of the acclaimed video games **Destiny 2** and **Marathon**, acknowledged that large-scale job cuts are part of its recent reorganization. The studio, owned by Sony, did not reveal the precise number of developers affected, but a recent government filing indicates that several hundred employees are being let go.
As per a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) submitted to the state of Washington, where Bungie’s headquarters are located, at least 292 employees will be terminated, with the official layoff date scheduled for July 9. Reports suggest that Bungie’s total staff, once estimated at around 800, has notably diminished from a high of roughly 1,300 in recent years. This reduction suggests that the studio’s workforce could now be as low as 500 or less, representing a drop of more than a third since Sony’s purchase of Bungie for $3.6 billion.
The job cuts have affected staff across multiple departments and fields. John Ebenger, the ex-cinematics director at Bungie, disclosed on social media that the entire cinematic division was part of the layoffs. Numerous other impacted employees have taken to platforms like LinkedIn to express their experiences and pursue new roles in a tough job market for the gaming sector.
In a message to staff, Hermen Hulst, head of PlayStation Studios, communicated that the choice to decrease Bungie’s workforce was essential, particularly impacting members of both the **Destiny** and **Marathon** teams. He highlighted that the decision came after thorough discussions regarding the studio’s long-term vision, development priorities, and resource needs. Hulst conveyed his regret for the skilled individuals whose positions had been eliminated and confirmed that the decision was not made without careful consideration.
Additionally, Jason Schreier of Bloomberg reported that Justin Truman, Bungie’s studio leader, has also resigned. Truman, who became part of Bungie in 2010 and steadily advanced to general manager for **Destiny 2**, was appointed studio head last year, succeeding long-serving CEO Pete Parsons.
These job cuts occur just after the official conclusion of **Destiny 2**, which received its final update earlier this month. As Bungie redirects its attention towards content development for **Marathon** and the incubation of new projects, the studio is currently experiencing major shifts in its operational approach.
As the gaming landscape continues to change, Bungie’s reorganization has highlighted the broader difficulties facing numerous studios, emphasizing the necessity for flexibility and alignment with market expectations in a competitive environment.
