Layoffs imminent at Bungie and GTA VI still on track for November

May 22, 2026 - 20:54

Bungie, the studio behind Destiny 2 and the upcoming Marathon, has informed employees that layoffs are imminent. The cuts come as part of a broader restructuring effort, with the company citing the need to streamline operations and focus on its core projects. While the exact number of affected roles has not been disclosed, internal sources suggest the reductions will impact multiple departments. This marks another round of job losses for the studio, which previously laid off over 200 staff in 2023 and saw further cuts after Sony's acquisition. Bungie leadership has stated that the goal is to ensure long-term stability, but the news has cast a shadow over the development of its new sci-fi extraction shooter, Marathon.

In more positive news for the gaming industry, Rockstar Games has reaffirmed that Grand Theft Auto VI remains on schedule for a November 2025 release. Despite widespread speculation about potential delays, internal reports indicate that development is progressing smoothly. The game is expected to be one of the biggest entertainment launches in history, and Rockstar is reportedly ramping up marketing efforts in the coming months. Fans have been waiting over a decade for a new entry in the series, and the confirmation that the fall window is still locked in has been met with relief.

Elsewhere in the industry, Xbox has expanded its leadership team once again. The latest hires include a new head of game content and a vice president of developer partnerships. These additions are part of a broader effort to strengthen first-party output and improve relationships with external studios. The moves come as Xbox continues to push its multiplatform strategy, bringing more games to PlayStation and Nintendo systems.

Finally, the Nex Playground, a camera-based gaming console aimed at families, is launching in the UK and Ireland. The device uses motion tracking to let players control games with their bodies, similar to the old Xbox Kinect. It will compete with the Nintendo Switch and other family-focused hardware when it arrives later this year.