Morale at Bungie: A Tale of “Soul-Crushing” Struggles and Uncertainty
Once known for creating joy and excitement within the gaming community, Bungie now finds itself in a state of trepidation and anxiety.
Low Morale Amidst Layoffs and Delays
According to a recent report, morale at Bungie is described as ““soul-crushing”” following the latest round of layoffs and project delays. There are also concerns regarding a potential complete takeover of the studio by Sony.
Meeting Targets and Keeping Creative Freedom
The report suggests that Bungie is having a hard time meeting the targets needed to maintain its independence from Sony. The release of “Destiny 2: The Final Shape” was recently pushed back into June, beyond the current fiscal year. Additionally, there’s heavy investment going towards the upcoming “Destiny 2: Lightfall.”
Management’s Indifference and Disregard for Employee Concerns
IGN’s Rebekah Valentine reports that when employees expressed their ““frustration and sadness”” about the layoffs, they were met with “a surprising amount of indifference or even outright flippancy or hostility from management.” Furthermore, there was no assurance that more layoffs weren’t on the horizon, and some employees were even discouraged from discussing the layoffs.
Expectations of More Layoffs and Outsourcing
“Multiple individuals across various departments told [IGN] they’d heard discussions within their teams of plans to increase outsourcing both before and in the wake of the layoffs,”
The report also suggests that those remaining at Bungie anticipate more layoffs if “Destiny 2: The Final Shape” doesn’t perform well. Additionally, overheard conversations have mentioned possible outsourcing of work from Bungie.
What’s Your Take on the Situation at Bungie?
Share your thoughts on the current state of affairs at Bungie with low morale. Stay tuned for more Insider Gaming news, including updates on New World Interactive.
