For the past year, the extensive layoffs across the video game industry have become all-encompassing. Now, they have reached yet another major company, Bungie. Two of the biggest names found on the list were revered creators Luke Smith and Mark Noseworthy, who were two of the biggest names in Bungie. They are another example of big names leaving these companies. While this news will disappoint many, it has sadly become routine. These mass layoffs have affected big and small game companies, and even respected executives are no longer safe from them. Here is a breakdown of the recent layoffs at Bungee and the reaction from the devoted fans of their games.
Bungie’s Latest Layoff
https://://gty.im/77003793
According to GameSpot, the layoffs at game developer Bungie have added two big names to the unfortunate and growing list: Luke Smith and Mike Noseworthy. These two were some of the most respected members of the company’s team. However, they were just two more of the hundreds of workers who lost their jobs. At the time of the event, they were working on the shooter Payback, a spinoff set in the universe of their latest franchise, Destiny.
According to the report, they left the company due to Payback being shut down and corporate restructuring. Part of what makes these layoffs especially egregious to many onlookers is how this news contrasts with a recent report regarding the company’s CEO, Pete Parsons. According to one report from Kotatu, Parsons spent over two million dollars on his classic car collection. It shouldn’t be hard to see why this fact enraged as many fans as it did after the layoffs.
Who Luke Smith and Mark Noseworthy Are
For those unaware, Luke Smith and Mike Noseworthy were two of the most decorated veterans of Bungie. Luke Smith was a prolific video game journalist who originally wrote for Kotaku and 1Up. Afterward, he joined Bungie, where he became the host of their official podcast and would write for some of their most acclaimed games, such as Halo 3. He eventually became one of the company’s most important figures.
As for Noseworthy, he led an equally impressive tenure at the company that lasted several decades. He dutifully served as the vice president of the entire Destiny IP and was in charge of its narrative and story. Such huge figures leaving the team will certainly affect the quality of the games going forward. Besides the two, over two hundred loyal employees were laid off. This has even called into question the support for the Halo franchise.
Part of a Larger Trend
For those following the news for the past year, these two layoffs are just one more headline among hundreds more. Since 2023, many massive gaming companies have laid off huge portions of their staff, totaling tens of thousands of jobs lost. The most commonly cited reason for the waves is the increased sales from the pandemic that stopped faster than anticipated. Companies rewarded their employees with a wave of layoffs.
With so many companies hit rapidly, it could be bad news for the entire industry. At worst, gamers and creators alike could be approaching a crash in the video game industry. Fortunately, organizations such as SAG-AFTRA have begun to stand in solidarity with audiences and creators. Only by consumers standing up and supporting the creators can they overcome big corporations’ greed.
For More Great Content
Total Apex is an all-encompassing content producer. We provide heavily detailed articles every day on entertainment, gaming, sports, and so much more! Check out all our great sports content Total Apex Sports. Check us out on X @TotalApexEandG and our other sites: Total Apex Sports Bets and Total Apex Fantasy Sports.
