The other shoe has dropped. Following Destiny 2's last major update and widespread reports that Bungie was preparing for mass layoffs, Sony and the studio announced a "reduction in force" that includes most of the people who were working on Destiny 2, as well as several on the Marathon team and external contractors.
Exact numbers have not been given by Sony, but a required WARN notice issued by the studio says 292 positions were affected in Washington, where Bungie is headquartered (as spotted by GameFile's Stephen Totilo). That number does not include external or remote workers who were affected, so the real total is likely much higher. It's a bloodbath.
Despite Sony conveniently timing these layoffs on the same day GTA 6 pre-orders started, the gutting of one of the most storied and talented studios of the 21st century is all that people are talking about. Reactions across the hobby have included anger, sadness, and whatever you want to make of this official White House tweet. As is the way with this seemingly never-ending cycle of layoffs, we're also hearing from many of the employees affected by the layoffs, with many posts illustrating just how devastating this downsizing actually is.
Sandbox
Basically the whole D2 Sandbox team is gone, myself included. The good news is if you liked the way Destiny felt to shoot and play, there’s going to be a lot of great designers in the market looking to help other games step it up.June 25, 2026
Cinematics
The entire Cinematic org was included. Let me know if you're looking to pick up a Director and/or other talented cine folks at any level.
— @johnebenger.bsky.social (@johnebenger.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2026-06-25T22:50:58.907Z
Raid and dungeons
Got hit by layoffs today, most of RaD was hit. It's been incredible to work on so many amazing experiences with so many great people. That was the best team at the studio for sure. Culture, skill, and collaboration. I'll miss it.June 25, 2026
Engineering
After nearly 4 years at Bungie, my role has been eliminated as of today.It has truly been a pleasure to have worked on Marathon and Destiny with such talented individuals for so long. Testing at Bungie really was different, but I'm going to miss my team the most 💙💚June 25, 2026
VFX
I'm impacted by today's layoffs, as is essentially the entire Destiny VFX team, leads and all.It was a good half decade, Bungie.June 25, 2026
Art
It’s been one hell of a ride, y’all. I have been impacted by today’s layoffs. I’m not sure what to say other than thank you so much for being a part of our worlds. I am so beyond grateful to have contributed to a tiny part of them. I hope they inspired you.Ad Astra, Et Ultra. pic.twitter.com/cuKQcu2eB0June 25, 2026
Quality Assurance
Unfortunately my position was affected by this round of layoffs. My watch has ended as a QA Engineer - 4 years 8 months of full time employment + another 9 months of Contract QA work. 4 months short of a wicked shield to help celebrate my accomplishments 😅 https://t.co/1akDqj3nzfJune 25, 2026
Community
💙 To our community: thank you, you know, for being my Guardians.My journey with Bungie has ended today along with hundreds of my peers. Working on the storied Destiny franchise has been a privilege and my colleagues are the absolute best in the industry.On to new adventures! https://t.co/YBtIJeW9jkJune 25, 2026
On the Marathon team, developer Biru Jones, who contributed to the extraction shooter's powerful sound design, said they were let go.
Laid off but here some notable things I did sound for, either all of or parts of: Marathon: UESC everything, Dropships, Doors, Barriers, Cryo Vault experience, Graffiti, elevators, random objects, machines, terminals, explosions, intractables… Destiny 2: Skimmers, (1/2) https://t.co/rKlgwegIqiJune 25, 2026
Among the layoffs are longtime Bungie veterans like test lead Dawn Vu, who was about to celebrate 14 years working on Destiny.
Would have been 14 years at Bungie working on Destiny. Like MANY of us, I'm also affected by today's lay offs. Thank you everyone I've had the privilege of working with <3 You are incredibly talented & the best of peoples.Thank you Destiny community for your love & support <3June 25, 2026
"Generational talent just gone," wrote Bungie alum Ben Platnick. "These people were veterans from the Halo days."
The entire team I used to work with, the leads who managed me, the people who hired me, all just gone.these people were veterans from the halo days. generational talent just gone.:/June 25, 2026
In a statement issued today, CEO of Sony's Studio Business Group Herman Hulst said "most of the Destiny team" and "some Marathon team members" are gone, but noted that Bungie remains committed to supporting Marathon and future projects.
That rationale isn't going down smoothly with longtime fans, nor the folks who've been playing and covering Destiny for as long as it's existed.
People keep asking this, but I have heard nothing about D2 servers being shut down and before this I heard there were no plans to shut them down in the future. Keep in mind the *Anthem* servers stayed on for seven years. I would not worry about this https://t.co/KfzuwaLOleJune 25, 2026
I know Bungie is just the latest example of studio layoffs/closures shoveling skilled and hirable people into an industry that is catching them with a teaspoon, but it really is flabbergasting to see perhaps the best sci-fi audio/visual + gunplay artists In The World jettisoned by failed management.
— @woodwould.bsky.social (@woodwould.bsky.social.bsky.social) 2026-06-25T22:50:58.845Z
This is so gross and I’m so sorry for those affectedI’m going to note, again, that leadership earned out 10s OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS EACH from the Sony deal and not enough is being said about that: https://t.co/Mf7htcLcXp Barrett was paid $38m and claimed to be owed $45m more!! https://t.co/nX3b0inNChJune 25, 2026
