The gaming industry continues to suffer from rounds of layoffs and studio closures, with Sony-owned Bungie being the latest to announce the elimination of 220 roles, representing roughly 17 percent of its workforce. The layoffs are attributed to rising development costs, industry shifts, and enduring economic conditions, with the studio now focusing its efforts on Destiny and Marathon. Sony Interactive Entertainment has expressed concerns over Bungie’s accountability with budgets and schedules, particularly in light of Destiny 2’s lower-than-expected player numbers and revenues. Last year, Bungie also had to lay off staff and delay game releases, while Sony itself has recently cut around 900 positions across various game studios, impacting titles like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, The Last of Us, and Horizon Forbidden West. Additionally, Sony closed its long-running London studio in the midst of developing a new fantasy co-op multiplayer game for the PlayStation 5.
