Update [31/10/2023]: Legendary composer Michael Salvatori was also one of the many who were laid off. The story is updated to reflect this.

A recent Bloomberg report has stated grim tidings for game studio Bungie.

The company has reportedly laid off an unknown number of staff members today due to recent cuts across the PlayStation division. For context, Bungie was bought by Sony for US$1.2 billion back in January 2022.

Bungie CEO Pete Parsons expressed sympathy on his Twitter/X account, along with other ex-employees of the company.

Today is a sad day at Bungie as we say goodbye to colleagues who have all made a significant impact on our studio. What these exceptional individuals have contributed to our games and Bungie culture has been enormous and will continue to be a part of Bungie long into the future.

— pete parsons (@pparsons) October 30, 2023

Getting texts from friends impacted by layoffs this morning.

It is frustrating – infuriating even – to continue seeing people who strap in to do good work losing their financial security due to poor management.

The continued echoes of poor decisions made that >feel< avoidable.

— dmg04 (@A_dmg04) October 30, 2023

I've been laid off from @Bungie. A surreal thing to write as I sit here pondering what went wrong. I'm still processing it all and while my first instinct is anger I know I'd regret what I'd say.

Thank you to everyone at Bungie who helped make my last 5+ years the best ever.

— Griffin Bennett (@GriffinWB) October 30, 2023

Today is my worst day at Bungie by far. Absolutely gutted to lose so many talented and amazing teammates. Please show them some love and compassion as each of them contributed to making the game and community great.

— Cozmo (@Cozmo23) October 30, 2023

Bungie composer Michael Salvatori was also laid off, according to an update on his homepage which just says “gone fishing”.  

Furthermore, the upcoming Destiny 2 expansion The Final Shape may be delayed until June 2024, which is on Sony’s next fiscal year 2024. The game is slated originally for a February 2024 release. Also, it doesn’t help that the last Destiny 2 expansion Lightfall received a not-so-positive reception, so perhaps this delay may be for the best.

Bungie’s other upcoming title, the reboot of its 90s shooter Marathon, may be pushed back to 2025 instead. Until this and the Final Shape expansion delay are official, take this all with a grain of salt.

PlayStation boss Jim Ryan who made the call to buy Bungie and also greenlit 12 other live service game projects will retire from the company in March 2024. Odds are this is all tied to the recent PlayStation staff cuts, leading to this sad news.