Bungie is the newest PlayStation studio to face layoffs. Whereas the size of the cuts wasn’t instantly obvious, a number of, now-former workers members started posting on social media on October 30 that they’d been let go by the beloved Future 2 maker.
“My coronary heart is breaking for all affected…I’m now in search of alternatives,” tweeted Future 2 neighborhood supervisor Liana Ruppert. “It’s a wierd feeling to get up within the morning excited for the week forward, solely in your day to start studying that you simply’ve been hit with a Discount in Drive and at the moment are on the job hunt,” wrote recruiting lead Amanda R. on LinkedIn.
The dimensions of the cuts and which groups or departments are most impacted isn’t but clear. They arrive the identical month that fellow PlayStation studio, Naughty Canine, lower dozens of contractors throughout artwork, manufacturing, high quality assurance, and different disciplines. The downsizing is available in a yr that’s seen publishers like Digital Arts, Ubisoft, Take-Two, and Embracer all lay off tons of, consolidated groups, or closed total studios. PlayStation rival Microsoft has imposed extreme cuts at present first-party Halo studio 343 Industries close to the start of 2023.
Sony acquired Bungie for $3.6 billion simply final yr amid an acquisition frenzy throughout the online game trade. Along with the favored sci-fi MMO shooter Future 2, Bungie can also be engaged on the extraction shooter Marathon in addition to one other authentic IP. Bloomberg additionally beforehand reported that the studio was concerned in an inner analysis of Nuaghty Canine’s The Final of Us 2 multiplayer spin-off that stopped the challenge in its tracks. Kotaku reported earlier this month that the sport, whereas not totally cancelled, had successfully been placed on ice.
Sony and Bungie didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
Replace 10/30/2023: Bungie CEO Pete Parsons referred to as in the present day a “unhappy day” on Twitter. “What these distinctive people have contributed to our video games and Bungie tradition has been monumental and can proceed to be part of Bungie lengthy into the long run,” he wrote.
