Bungie recently made the decision to cancel their unannounced project, Payback, which was supposed to be a spin-off in the Destiny universe. The project was being headed by former Destiny 2 game director Luke Smith and project lead Mark Noseworthy. Despite the fact that both Smith and Noseworthy have lost their jobs due to Bungie’s cost-cutting measures, the cancellation of Payback actually happened before the recent layoffs at the company.
News of the existence of the Payback project first surfaced back in April, but Bungie has yet to make an official statement about it. According to some sources, the name “Payback” was meant to symbolize Bungie’s attempt to create something that would be well-received by fans. While details about the project remain scarce, it’s evident that the cancellation of Payback played a role in the departure of Smith and Noseworthy from Bungie.
The recent layoffs at Bungie have caused quite a stir within the gaming community. The company’s executive restructuring has left many employees uncertain about their future at the company. Reports suggest that several key members of the team behind Destiny 2’s successful expansion, The Final Shape, have been let go, including senior narrative designer Robert Brookes and narrative lead Kwan Perng. It’s a disappointing turn of events for a team that worked hard to turn Destiny 2’s fortunes around after the underwhelming Lightfall expansion.
In addition to laying off employees, Bungie has also shifted 155 roles to their parent company, Sony Interactive Entertainment. These roles will be part of a new PlayStation studio working on an upcoming “action game set in a brand-new science-fantasy universe.” Meanwhile, those who remain at Bungie will be focusing on the development of the Marathon reboot and other future Destiny projects. The company is determined to move forward despite the recent setbacks.
The layoffs at Bungie were announced by CEO Pete Parsons, who admitted that the company’s leadership had been overly ambitious in their business decisions. Parsons himself has faced criticism for his extravagant spending, including $2,414,550 on cars since 2022. Many are questioning the priorities of company leadership, especially in light of the recent layoffs. There have been calls for Parsons to step down from his position in the wake of these controversial decisions.
The cancellation of the Payback project and the subsequent layoffs at Bungie have left many in the gaming community shocked and disappointed. The company’s future remains uncertain as they navigate these challenging times. It’s a reminder of the volatile nature of the video game industry and the impact that decisions made at the top can have on employees and fans alike.
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