Ex-Bungie Lawyer Praises Sony’s Impact on Destiny 2

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Ex-Bungie Lawyer Praises Sony's Impact on Destiny 2

Key Takeaways

  • A former Bungie lawyer has lauded Sony’s “discipline” as a big reason behind Destiny 2‘s future improvements.
  • Sony apparently “forced” Bungie out of complacency to identify the biggest issues surrounding Destiny 2 and fix them in the future.
  • Destiny 2’s upcoming changes aim to streamline content output and approachability for newcomers.

As a gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can’t help but feel a sense of relief and anticipation upon hearing about the changes coming to Destiny 2. The game has been a staple in my gaming rotation for years, and the recent struggles it’s faced have left me feeling a bit disheartened.

A lawyer who previously worked at Bungie has noted that Sony’s guidance played a significant role in enhancing the quality of Destiny 2, following a decline in its reputation as a live-service looter shooter. These remarks were made after the latest announcement concerning changes to Destiny 2’s content strategy and accessibility.

Initially, Sony’s $3.6 billion purchase of Bungie was driven by Bungie’s proficiency in live-service games. However, the deal has proven to be a persistent challenge for Sony over time. The 2023 expansion for Destiny 2 titled Lightfall received negative feedback from critics and fans alike, and Bungie experienced significant downsizing in 2023 and 2024 due to a reportedly high operational cost. Following the latest layoffs in July, it was revealed that Sony executives had assumed control of Bungie, which some former Bungie lawyers believe may be the best course of action for the studio’s future.

Following the announcement by Bungie regarding significant improvements for Destiny 2 aimed at improving content delivery and making the live-service game more accessible to new players, former general counsel Don McGowan shared his thoughts on the leadership changes within the studio in a recent LinkedIn post. According to McGowan, these modifications to Destiny 2 are likely due to Sony imposing some discipline on Bungie, leading them to address their creative slump and pinpoint essential problems affecting the game, such as strategies for attracting new players. He is confident that managing Destiny 2 like a business is the best course of action for Bungie.

Several “Egos” at Bungie Supposedly Hindered Progress After Sony Buyout

As a dedicated gamer, I can tell you that McGowan shared his thoughts on Bungie’s transformation post-Sony acquisition. He envisioned them as a studio rather than an independent company, which was initially hoped for. However, it seems there were quite a few egos within the team at Bungie who wanted to downplay the impact of the buyout, implying that nothing would alter.

In the wake of the Sony acquisition, I envisioned a transformation of the company into a studio, rather than continuing as an independent entity. However, many individuals with inflated egos found it crucial to maintain the facade that ‘things would remain unchanged.’

Regarding Bungie, the layoffs in July 2024 had a significant impact on the studio. CEO Pete Parsons revealed that the company would primarily focus on “Destiny 2” and the upcoming “Marathon” reboot moving forward. One of Bungie’s potential projects, known as “Gummybears,” was transferred to a new internal team at PlayStation together with approximately 155 former Bungie developers. It’s worth noting that although there have been whispers about a “Destiny” mobile game in development between Bungie and NetEase, no official confirmation has been made on this subject yet.

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2024-09-17 10:03