Sony Reportedly Told Bungie Developers to 'Pull Their Heads Out of Their Asses.' Recent Big Changes to Destiny 2 Said to Be Thanks to Japanese Giant

As a long-time fan of Bungie and Destiny 2, I must admit that the recent changes have been quite a rollercoaster. It’s not every day you see such a legendary studio undergoing such transformations, especially with the involvement of a heavyweight like Sony.


Both Bungie Studios and their current flagship game, Destiny 2, have experienced significant transformations in recent times. In July alone, around 220 team members parted ways with the development crew. About a month later, substantial updates were revealed concerning the future content distribution for this online shooter. As reported by former Bungie Chief Legal Officer Don McGowan, some of these alterations can be attributed to Sony, who purchased the studio in 2022.

Destiny 2 changes thanks to Sony

On LinkedIn, he shares an account where a Japanese firm allegedly pressured Bungie into altering their approach to developing Destiny 2, primarily focusing on rectifying issues that were causing problems.

As a gamer, let me clarify my stance: It’s not about job losses, it’s about urging those at Bungie to shift their focus. They need to work on strategies for attracting new players, rather than solely catering to the preferences of the higher-ups. Running a game is like running a business after all, and I hope they remember that. I have friends there, and I’d like them to keep their jobs.

As per McGowan, this is now the reality for the studio – it’s no longer an independent business, but a division of Sony. While it might appear obvious, it’s important to note that, as McGowan points out, many individuals at Bungie had maintained that “there would be no changes” post-acquisition.

During that deal, I recall musing aloud, “Is it Sony’s perspective that they’re paying $3.6 billion just to have no control over Bungie’s decisions?” Many others shared this sentiment as well.

McGowan considers this move by Sony as a wise one, stating that it’s more about managing a franchise effectively rather than continuously refining the game you and your peers have become proficient at, or following fleeting trends.

Accusations of plagiarism

Lastly, it’s important to note the claim that Bungie and Nerf, who recently unveiled a new gun together, might have drawn inspiration for their design from a project by user Tofu_Rabbit, who showcased his work in 2015 on X.

When scrutinizing two pistols, it’s almost effortless to identify very similar components. Luckily, this issue has been taken up by Bungie, who have communicated that they have contacted the artist responsible, ensuring he gets due payment and recognition for his artwork.

Read More

2024-09-16 13:31