Bungie reduces Destiny team size following the game’s last major update.

Just weeks after the final content update for Destiny 2 on June 9, Bungie announced a significant workforce reduction. The studio shared on social media that, without ongoing development for its flagship live-service game and with future projects still uncertain, it could no longer sustain its previous size.

“With great sadness, we are announcing a reduction in force as we reorganize Bungie,” the studio stated. “As the leaders of Bungie, past and present, we recognize that Destiny 2 has not met expectations in recent years. Following our last content update and with future projects still in early stages, we unfortunately could not continue operating at our previous size.”

As of April, Bungie was estimated to have around 800 employees.

In a separate statement, the head of PlayStation Studios mentioned that “a significant number of employees, including most of the Destiny team and some Marathon team members,” are being laid off. He added that there are also reductions across teams that support Bungie’s operations, with those affected being informed that day.

The internal memo indicated that Sony had sought alternatives before resorting to layoffs. Rumors of impending layoffs at Bungie had circulated since May, but the extent of the cuts remained unclear until late June.

“Marathon remains an important part of our portfolio, and we will continue to support the team as they build on the strong foundation established in Seasons 1 and 2, while also working on future projects,” he said. “While it’s too early to discuss specifics, we are excited about the creativity and opportunities that lie ahead.”

Although active development on Destiny 2 has officially ended, some updates are scheduled for June 30. Based on social media posts from the Destiny development team, this hotfix may be the last patch the sci-fi shooter ever receives.

There are no indications that Destiny 3 is in the works, but the studio is reportedly in the early stages of pitching new projects that could be set in the Destiny universe. The shutdown of the live shooter, along with the significant layoffs, comes two years after Sony acquired the studio for $3.6 billion. Earlier this year, Sony cited a $565 million impairment loss due to Bungie’s struggles with Destiny 2 and Marathon.

Following the announcement of the end of active development on its flagship franchise, fans have rallied around Destiny 2. The game has maintained a consistent player base of about 100,000 active users in recent weeks. While some of this renewed interest can be attributed to the final update, players believe Bungie has addressed many of the game’s previous issues, with activities like raids and dungeons now offering valuable rewards.

“We know that this decision has a profound impact on the people affected, their families, friends, and teammates,” Bungie stated. “While these changes are necessary to best position the studio now and for the future, that does not lessen the difficulty of this moment or the impact it has on those affected.”

Update: According to a reporter, Bungie studio head Justin Truman has resigned after less than a year in the role.

The future of Bungie is now more uncertain than ever.