Bungie, the studio behind the popular Destiny franchise, is facing more changes as it prepares for the release of its upcoming service game, Marathon. Following layoffs last year, Bungie is now reportedly reorganizing its creative leadership for Marathon. Long-time Bungie designer Christopher Barrett is being replaced by former Valorant game director Joe Ziegler. Ziegler confirmed his appointment on Twitter, expressing excitement about the project.
Sources indicate that Bungie is focusing its resources on getting Marathon ready for release, with Ziegler bringing a new direction to the game. Despite this, there are concerns about potential layoffs following the release of the upcoming Destiny 2 expansion, The Final Shape. It is suggested that the success of The Final Shape may determine the fate of employees transitioning to work on Marathon.
With Sony’s acquisition of Bungie and the studio’s struggles to meet financial targets, there is a sense of uncertainty and instability within the company. Previous layoffs have impacted morale, with ongoing challenges that Bungie is grappling with. As the studio navigates these changes and pushes forward to release Marathon and other projects, the future remains uncertain for both the company and its employees.