Destiny 2 dev Bungie promises fans the series has a future after layoffs, ‘Payback’ cancellation report: “Rest assured we remain committed to Destiny”

Destiny 2 dev Bungie promises fans the series has a future after layoffs, 'Payback' cancellation report: "Rest assured we remain committed to Destiny"

What you need to know

  • Nearly a week after Destiny 2 developer Bungie announced it cut 220 workers from the studio and is moving 155 staff to other roles within Sony, it has posted an official statement on social media to reassure fans about the future of Destiny.
  • Bungie says it remains “committed to Destiny,” and to “supporting our community with transparency, and to delivering regular updates about the game.” It also notes it will discuss “the future of Destiny and plans for our next multi-year journey soon.”
  • The developer’s statements also come days after a recent Bloomberg report suggested Bungie recently cancelled a Destiny spinoff called “Payback,” and also that it’s moving away from paid annual expansions and towards smaller and free content updates similar to April’s Into the Light release.
  • The report also notes that Bungie has not been working on a “Destiny 3” sequel to Destiny 2, and is instead focusing on making the live service looter shooter more approachable for new players.

As a seasoned gaming enthusiast and industry observer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must admit that recent events at Bungie have left me feeling a tad jaded. The series of layoffs and staff reassignments have been a stark reminder of the turbulent nature of our beloved game industry.


As a researcher focusing on the gaming industry, I’ve recently been following the developments at Bungie, the studio behind Destiny 2. Just over a week ago, they announced a restructuring that resulted in the dismissal of 220 employees and the transition of 155 workers to Sony Interactive Entertainment. This move has understandably raised concerns within the gaming community, given that similar layoffs affected around 100 Bungie staff members back in October.

“Bungie has announced some shifts in their team structure, causing questions about Destiny’s future. However, we want to reassure our community that we are dedicated to Destiny, providing updates openly, and keeping everyone informed. In the near future, we will be discussing the future of Destiny and outlining our plans for our upcoming long-term adventure. As soon as we set a date for this discussion, we’ll make sure you know. We appreciate your understanding, and we look forward to connecting with you again soon.”

As a devoted fan, I couldn’t help but take notice of Bungie’s recent announcement, following rumors about the cancellation of a Destiny spinoff titled “Payback.” This intriguing project was rumored to be a third-person adventure, where you and others would venture into a vast world, battling monsters and solving puzzles together.

Destiny 2 dev Bungie promises fans the series has a future after layoffs, 'Payback' cancellation report: "Rest assured we remain committed to Destiny"

It’s uncertain at this point what’s coming up next for Destiny 2, but a recent report mentions that Bungie intends to continue releasing smaller, free content updates similar to the widely acclaimed Into the Light update, which was released two months prior to The Final Shape launch. Additionally, there are hints of broader plans for a new storyline featuring unique characters and environments, which might be connected to the Destiny 2 project referred to as “Frontiers,” announced in June.

It’s been noted that Bungie is aiming to enhance the starting experience for Destiny 2, an aspect often criticized as inadequate, unengaging, and perplexing for newcomers to its live-service sci-fi shooter genre. Given the game’s community has voiced this concern for numerous years, many will undoubtedly be delighted to learn that Bungie is taking it seriously.

It was thought for a while that Bungie might be creating Destiny 3, but it seems they’ve decided not to develop it. Instead, their focus is on Destiny 2 and Marathon, a competitive shooter game set within the sci-fi world of their classic FPS franchise from 1994, which is known as Marathon. At present, there isn’t much information about Marathon, but we do know it’s planned for release in 2025.

Analysis: After recent events, it’s hard to be hopeful

Destiny 2 dev Bungie promises fans the series has a future after layoffs, 'Payback' cancellation report: "Rest assured we remain committed to Destiny"

It’s great to learn that Bungie is going to share their future plans for Destiny, including its next long-term project, shortly. However, given the recent events, it’s not an exaggeration to say that it’s challenging to feel optimistic or secure about these plans. To be honest, I have zero confidence in the situation, and this is especially true since there don’t appear to have been any major changes in leadership after ex-Bungie employees criticized executives on social media following the cuts. The CEO, Pete Parsons, has faced intense criticism from both affected employees and the broader community, as it was revealed that he spent millions on luxury cars following Sony’s acquisition of Bungie in 2022.

In the end, only the passage of time can reveal what lies ahead for Destiny and Bungie. Unfortunately, recent layoffs within the studio have been a heavy blow to its employees, especially given that the number of layoffs in the gaming industry this year (2024) has surpassed 11,000. Our deepest sympathies are with those affected, as well as all of us at Windows Central.

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2024-08-08 23:39