In the wake of mounting backlash over art theft related to its upcoming game Marathon, former Bungie employees are coming forward to share what they describe as a deeply troubled work environment, one shaped by toxic leadership, mismanagement, and corporate greed.
Speaking to game journalist Destin Legarie, former Bungie staff painted a bleak picture of a company in freefall. “Everything happening to Bungie is because of greed,” said one former employee, pointing to decisions prioritizing monetization over player experience. Staff meetings reportedly focused more on how glowing PvP armor might impact Eververse sales (the in-game microtransaction store) rather than on creative innovation.
Since 2023, Bungie has laid off around 320 employees, not including the 155 whose roles were absorbed into parent company Sony Interactive Entertainment. Many believe that executive perks and a bloated upper management contributed to the hemorrhaging of resources. Rumors persist that top leaders were granted luxury penthouses, further fueling resentment amid stagnating wages and unfilled essential positions.
Several former employees criticized a culture of exclusion and fear where ideas were dismissed unless they aligned with leadership’s vision. “If they didn’t think of it, it wasn’t worth doing,” said one source. Human Resources was another flashpoint, with multiple ex-employees accusing the department of acting in self-interest and covering up harassment to secure lucrative exit packages. One former HR staffer was allegedly slated for a $5 million payout.
Leadership was widely blamed for the studio’s current predicament, with CEO Pete Parsons singled out as the root of many ongoing issues. “Bungie can’t succeed with him at the helm,” claimed Legarie. While some leaders like Eric Osborne and Joe Blackburn were mentioned for their compassion and integrity, they appear to be the exception. Marathon, once seen as a hopeful new project, now symbolizes the tonal shift from games to “products” and from players to “customers”. As Bungie reels from a 45% revenue shortfall and continued community criticism, the outlook appears to remain grim.
