Destiny 2 developer Bungie has been under scrutiny due to alleged mismanagement, which critics argue led to recent layoffs and a deeper Sony collaboration. While the studio faces rumors of cutting back on Destiny 2 content, insiders argue that these changes aren’t a surprise given precedents. In acknowledging the situation, Bungie attributed this to overstretching of its talent, and scaling its studio support structures beyond sustainable levels for its primary products, Destiny and Marathon.
Bungie’s restructuring highlighted the studio’s inability to retain its financial safety margins after rapid expansion in 2023. The downturn in the games industry, an economic slowdown, and the need to fully dedicate time to The Final Shape and Marathon projects also taxed the studio heavily. Previous decisions to not develop Destiny 3 due to the resources it would draw from Destiny 2 came back into focus, as did Bungie’s possibly over-ambitious hiring strategy post-Sony purchase.
Bungie’s past movements, such as expanding Destiny into other media formats, is seen as a potential resource drain and a key part of their current predicament. Notably, this expansion includes a scrapped Destiny animated show for Netflix and other TV and film projects in the pipeline. This progression, despite being unfruitful, resulted in salaries for those hired for consultations and productions. Bungie’s aim to evolve into a “global multi-media entertainment company” is considered a contributing factor to its current state.
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