Key Takeaways
- Bungie is planning a “significant number of layoffs” once Destiny 2 receives its final content update, Monument of Triumph, on June 9, 2026
- The Bellevue, Washington studio has no new project greenlit for the Destiny 2 development team, and no immediate plans to enter production on Destiny 3
- Bungie staff are pitching new project ideas internally, including potential Destiny titles, but none have been approved by Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Sony has already absorbed a $766 million impairment loss tied to Bungie’s assets, compounding pressure on the studio to justify its $3.6 billion acquisition price
After nearly a decade of weekly resets and seasonal storylines, Destiny 2 is approaching its endgame.
Bungie confirmed that Destiny 2 will receive its final live-service update, Monument of Triumph, on June 9, 2026, before active development ends.
The game will remain playable indefinitely, much like the original Destiny after its sunset. Meanwhile, Bungie faces growing uncertainty following Sony’s $3.6 billion acquisition in 2022, as Sony’s gaming division continues aggressive subscription price hikes and hardware increases this year.
Significant Layoffs, No New Game Lined Up
According to Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, citing sources familiar with Bungie’s plans, the studio is preparing major layoffs after Destiny 2’s final update.
Bungie reportedly has no new project ready for the Destiny 2 team and does not plan to begin Destiny 3 production anytime soon, though the exact number of cuts remains unclear.
Bungie staff is said to be pitching new ideas internally, including projects set within the Destiny universe, but none have been approved.
For a team that has spent years building, tuning, and sustaining one of the industry’s most loyal live-service communities, adjusting to these shifting gaming trends without a clear next step is a difficult place to land.
Sony’s Costly Bet on Bungie Keeps Getting More Expensive
The financial situation behind the announcement is severe. Earlier this month, Sony reported a $766 million impairment loss tied to Bungie’s intangible and other assets in its 2025 earnings report, signalling mounting concern over the studio’s long-term performance.
The write-down follows years of cuts: Bungie laid off around 100 employees in October 2023, then another 220 workers, 17% of its workforce, in July 2024, with 155 roles absorbed into Sony PlayStation teams, reflecting broader layoff trends.
In its Monument of Triumph announcement, Bungie described Destiny 2’s ending as “a new beginning” that would let the studio “begin work incubating our next games.” However, Bloomberg’s reporting suggests the situation behind that messaging is far more unstable.
The Marathon Pivot and Gaming’s Live-Service Reckoning
Marathon, Bungie’s extraction shooter, is now the studio’s main focus, with Season 2 launching June 2 alongside new PvE content and improved onboarding aimed at attracting more players.
Bungie reportedly believes the game can recover despite its weak launch reception. Whether that gamble succeeds could determine if Bungie remains a viable creative force under Sony or becomes another warning sign about the limits of the live-service model.
For Guardians who spent thousands of hours across Destiny’s nine-year journey, Monument of Triumph may serve as a fitting farewell. For the developers behind it, the future remains uncertain.
Source: Bungie Plans Layoffs After Ending ‘Destiny 2’ Development
