3600 million dollars. That’s the amount Sony paid in 2022 to acquire Bungie, once the flagship of Microsoft with ‘Halo.’ But by now, we should know that signing in blood and in front of the devil doesn’t usually bring anything good. The contract included a clause that made it very clear: if the studio didn’t meet financial targets, Sony could take control, dismiss all the leaders, and make it theirs. And you’ll never guess what happened.
Thing of destiny
Initially, everything looked good: Bungie would remain an independent studio, and Sony had nothing to say about it. But of course, in 2023, they fell far from their goal. How much? By 45%. Neither the ‘Lightfall’ expansion nor the number of ‘Destiny 2‘ players are enough to keep the studio afloat.
For now, the 1100-person studio has managed to stay afloat by cutting staff (and thus, turning a profit), but all eyes are on June 2024 when ‘The Final Shape,’ the next expansion for ‘Destiny 2,’ will be released. It could either revive the game’s interest to its 2017 launch levels or condemn not just the title but also the studio.
Bungie isn’t devoid of other prospects: ‘Marathon,’ their highly anticipated shooter, is set to release in 2025 (at least for now). The only uncertainty surrounding it is whether their issues stem from decisions made long ago within the studio that have led to serious internal problems or if, on the other hand, they’ve been due to Sony‘s expectations in setting the year’s objectives. Either way, it doesn’t seem like Bungie is eager to jump for joy right now, and the festive season might not be so festive for them.
