Bungie is set to lose its independent status and become fully integrated into PlayStation Studios following underwhelming performances from Destiny 2 and the upcoming Marathon.
Sony acquired Bungie in 2022 for $3.6 billion with an agreement allowing the developer to operate independently, provided profitability targets were met.
However, a decline in Destiny 2’s player base and mixed feedback for Marathon, combined with allegations of plagiarism, have weakened the studio’s position.
In late 2024, over 100 Bungie employees were moved to Sony during company-wide layoffs, signalling a shift towards closer integration.
Speaking during Sony’s Q1 2025 earnings call, PlayStation CFO Lin Tao confirmed the transition was underway.
“This independence is getting lighter, and Bungie is shifting into a role which is becoming more part of PlayStation Studios, and integration is proceeding,” Tao said.
“In the long term, you can see this as an ongoing process. So the direction is to become part of PlayStation Studios.”
While Bungie will continue to exist as a studio, it will operate as a first-party developer creating titles for Sony’s core audience.
Future releases could see platform exclusivity, aligning with Sony’s broader strategy of selective multi-platform launches.
Tao also noted that Sony’s wider live service ambitions have faced challenges, referencing Concord as a significant commercial failure.
The move marks a strategic change in Bungie’s role within the PlayStation ecosystem. The studio’s future direction will depend on the final stages of Marathon’s development and the winding down of Destiny 2 content updates.
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