Following recent layoffs at Bungie and rumors of a delayed release for the Destiny 2 expansion, The Final Shape, the studio took a different approach than its usual “This Week in Destiny” update. Instead, Bungie published a sincere and remorseful message from the development team, addressing player dissatisfaction with the game.
In the note, Bungie acknowledged the layoffs, stating that they had “parted ways with people we respect and admire.” According to a report by Bloomberg, around 100 Bungie employees were let go due to a significant decrease in Destiny 2 player counts.
Although Bungie did not directly confirm the reported four-month delay for Destiny 2’s next expansion, their statement strongly suggests it.
Bungie acknowledged the feedback and concerns regarding the most recent Destiny 2 expansion, Lightfall, which was met with lukewarm reception. They also mentioned players’ reactions to the reveal of The Final Shape, stating, “We know we have lost a lot of your trust. Destiny needs to surprise and delight. We haven’t done this enough and that’s going to change.”
As part of their “path forward,” Bungie expressed their determination to make The Final Shape an unforgettable Destiny experience, comparable to beloved expansions like Forsaken, The Witch Queen, and The Taken King. They see these expansions as benchmarks to aspire to with next year’s The Final Shape.
Bungie emphasized their intense focus on exceeding players’ expectations for The Final Shape, with over 650 dedicated teammates putting all their energy and expertise into delivering this epic moment and its subsequent episodes.
The developer plans to provide more details about what’s coming in the short term, starting with their next season in late November. They also teased a “bigger, bolder, and brighter vision for The Final Shape,” which is rumored to have a release window in June 2024.
Bungie did not mention the status of Marathon, their extraction-style shooter that was unveiled earlier this year. While no official release date has been announced, reports suggest that Marathon has been postponed to 2025.
