Sony’s recent announcement marks a significant shift for Bungie, the renowned studio behind Destiny 2 and the upcoming live-service title, Marathon. After Sony’s $3.6 billion acquisition in 2022, Bungie is set to integrate fully into PlayStation Studios, ending its promised “very independent environment.”
Between October 2023 and July 2024, Bungie faced tough times, laying off 320 employees from its peak staff of 1,600. This move stemmed from the poorly received Destiny 2: Lightfall expansion, criticized for its confusing story and underdeveloped characters. The setbacks caused Bungie to miss its 2023 revenue target by a staggering 45%, at a critical time for studio expansion.
These challenges led to a delay in Bungie’s fresh standalone project, Marathon, now expected before March 31, 2025, instead of its original September 2025 release. In response to these hurdles, Sony decided to solidify its control over Bungie. Lin Tao, Sony’s CFO, explained during a recent livestream that Bungie’s independence is diminishing as it integrates further into PlayStation Studios.
Marathon, a revival of Bungie’s 1994 FPS classic, originally launched on Apple Macintosh, enjoyed early success with sequels and console ports. Selling 100,000 units before Marathon 2 and surpassing 150,000 sales by October 1995, the franchise marked a significant era for Bungie before its acquisition by Microsoft in 2000.
However, the excitement for the new Marathon project hasn’t matched its predecessor’s. Delayed indefinitely after an underwhelming closed alpha and mired in controversy over alleged art plagiarism from an indie artist, Bungie faced substantial backlash. The studio responded with an artwork audit and public apology.
Amid speculations of cancellation, Lin Tao addressed these concerns, asserting confidence in resolving the issues. While the release could potentially happen before March 31, 2026, Tao clarified there’s no firm commitment or official announcement yet.
