Around 100 employees, including key members of Destiny 2’s community team, were laid off from Bungie on Oct. 30. Ironically, just a few weeks later, that same team has been nominated for the Best Community Support category at The Game Awards.
The nominations were announced on Nov. 13, and the affected employees who played a significant role in getting Destiny 2 nominated couldn’t help but find bitter humor in the situation. Griffin Bennett, the title’s social media lead, pointed out the irony, stating that it serves as a reminder that one’s quality of work doesn’t matter in the end – you’re just a number.
The layoffs primarily affected the community side of Destiny 2, with prominent figures such as Liana Ruppert, Griffin Bennett, and Sam Bartley being let go. Ruppert, in a post following the nomination, expressed how the timing couldn’t be more ironic.
Despite personal feelings, Ruppert acknowledged the dedication and advocacy of the remaining community team members – Cozmo, Bruno, Ivan, and Timon. She emphasized their commitment to players and their ability to influence decisions for the better. If Destiny 2 wins the award, Ruppert intends to celebrate the team and the player support they provide.
The nomination comes at a time when player sentiment towards Destiny 2 is at an all-time low, and the community team has been cut in half heading into The Final Shape expansion. While winning the award is not guaranteed, the nomination itself highlights the importance of the community team’s role in shaping Destiny 2’s identity and maintaining communication with players.
The layoffs, along with the departure of studio veterans like Michael Salvatori, have significantly damaged the community’s trust in Bungie’s leadership. To recover from a year of reportedly missed revenue projections, Bungie will need to rebuild that trust during the upcoming Season of the Wish.
Source: DOTESPORTS
