Sony files notice for layoffs at Bellevue-based video game company - KOMO

Sony Interactive Entertainment is reducing the workforce at Bungie, with layoffs affecting a significant number of employees, including most of the Destiny team, some members of the Marathon team, and employees across Sony Interactive Entertainment teams that support the studio's operations. A WARN (Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification) notice filed with the Washington State Department of Employment said the reduction in force affects approximately 292 employees at Bungie's Bellevue facility. Employees were notified on Thursday and are expected to separate from the company on July 9. The filing states the layoffs are permanent, affected employees will receive a combination of notice and pay instead of notice totaling 60 days, and none of the affected workers are represented by a union. In an internal email to employees on Thursday, Hermen Hulst, CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment's Studio Business Group, said affected employees at Bungie and within SIE were being informed of the decision. "We have made the decision to reduce Bungie's workforce, affecting a significant number of employees, including most of the Destiny team and some Marathon team members," Hulst wrote. Hulst said the decision followed months of discussions between Sony Interactive Entertainment and Bungie leadership reviewing the studio's long-term direction, development priorities, resource needs, and role within Sony's broader portfolio strategy. "We explored multiple alternatives before concluding that a reduction was necessary to align the studio's resources with its current priorities and long-term goals," he wrote. The executive described the move as "painful news," particularly for employees whose positions were eliminated. The restructuring comes as Bungie begins what Hulst described as "a new journey" following the release of Destiny 2's final live-service content update. Hulst praised the franchise's decade-long run, saying it had "left a lasting mark on players and the industry" and thanked employees who contributed to its success. Despite the cuts, Hulst said Marathon remains an important part of Sony Interactive Entertainment's portfolio and that the company will continue supporting the team as it builds on the foundation established in Seasons 1 and 2 while also pursuing future incubation projects. "While it's too early to discuss, we are encouraged by the creativity and opportunities that lie ahead," Hulst wrote. Hulst said the company's immediate priority is supporting affected employees through the transition by providing transition assistance and, where possible, identifying opportunities elsewhere within Sony Interactive Entertainment and its global network of studios. Hulst closed the message by thanking affected employees for their "hard work, creativity, and contributions to Bungie, SIE, and the broader gaming community" and encouraged remaining employees to support one another as they process the news.