Sony on Bungie layoffs: Cost, structure, optimization
Here you have it: the opinion of Sony on Bungie layoffs. Apparently, their purposes are cost, structure, portfolio optimization, and business efficiency.
Key Takeaways
- Bungie’s recent layoff of 220 employees led to significant backlash from the gaming community, exacerbated by CEO Pete Parsons’ $2.6 million outlay on cars.
- Sony, Bungie’s current owner, has faced scrutiny over the layoffs and the handling of the situation.
- During their Q1 FY2024 financial results meeting, Sony explained that the layoffs are part of a restructuring aimed at cost reduction, structural optimization, and improving business efficiency.
Bungie’s recent decision to lay off 220 employees has sparked outrage among Destiny 2 enthusiasts and the wider gaming community. Adding fuel to the fire, it turned out that while the company had to cut off 17% of its workforce, its CEO, Pete Parsons, reportedly spent around $2.6 million on more than 20 cars at auction. This situation has incited outrage not only against the studio’s leadership but also towards Sony, Bungie’s current owner. Many fans have been questioning Sony’s role and accountability in this matter. In response to the growing discontent, Sony has now officially addressed the issue.
Sony on Bungie layoffs: Purposes and future
According to GamesRadar+, Sony recently held its Q1 FY2024 Consolidated Financial Results meeting. During the event, Bungie’s restructuring was one of the topics discussed. Hiroki Totoki, Chairman of Sony Interactive Entertainment, addressed it as follows:
“At this moment, Bungie’s restructuring has been already announced. At this moment, as you’ve correctly pointed out, for this restructuring, the purpose is cost, the structure, and portfolio optimization. Those are the purposes. And simultaneously, we have to enhance the efficiency of the business.”
— Hiroki Totoki, Chairman of SIE
The translation of the next part of his speech is somewhat confusing. From what we understand, it appears that Bungie’s back-office functions will be integrated with Sony Interactive Entertainment’s studio. Bungie will continue focusing on Destiny 2 and the new live-service title Marathon. Meanwhile, other development projects will be transferred to the PlayStation group. The main objective is to optimize the studio’s overall structure.
We’ve included a clip of Totoki’s answer below, so you may want to check it out:
What do you think? Was Sony’s response what you expected? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
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