Summary
- Bungie reportedly pitched a Destiny 2 subscription model alongside PS Plus requirements.
- Internal staff backlash led to the idea being “vehemently shot down.”
- Former developers claim Bungie leadership created a toxic work environment.
- Microtransaction pressure and monetization scoldings were frequent.
- Company remains under scrutiny after recent plagiarism and layoff controversies.
Bungie Considered Destiny 2 Subscription, Says Report
A new report reveals that Bungie bosses once considered launching a separate subscription service for Destiny 2, on top of the existing PlayStation Plus requirement. According to multiple former employees, this controversial idea was ultimately scrapped after fierce internal opposition.
As reported by Save State Plus and echoed in a video by Destin Legarie, leadership at Bungie presented the subscription plan during internal discussions about future monetization. Employees quickly pushed back, arguing the additional fee would frustrate and alienate players already paying for PS Plus or similar services on other platforms.
Staff Backlash Prevented the Plan
The report notes that the subscription pitch was only shelved due to “vehement” backlash from Bungie’s development staff. One anonymous former employee said, “Everything happening to Bungie is because of greed.” Staff reportedly pushed hard to protect free-to-earn cosmetics and resist increased microtransaction pressure.
One developer added that leaders even hosted a “monetization scolding,” blaming teams for not driving enough in-game purchases via Eververse or seasonal content.
Bungie’s Ongoing Challenges
Bungie has been under fire for more than just pricing strategies. The studio recently confirmed a case of plagiarism involving Marathon art assets and has also been accused of fostering a toxic work culture. Several former employees have come forward describing a dismissive leadership style and poor internal morale.
In late 2023, Bungie laid off over 300 employees following a major drop in revenue. This has only increased pressure on live service monetization, especially in Destiny 2, which has evolved from a premium title to a free-to-play game over the past eight years.
Marathon and Bungie’s Future
Meanwhile, Bungie is gearing up for the September release of Marathon, its upcoming extraction shooter. Though surrounded by controversy, developers insist the game has strong multiplayer potential. Marathon is set to launch as a full-priced product across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Despite internal strife, Bungie remains a key pillar of Sony’s live-service gaming strategy. Whether the company can regain its footing will likely depend on how players respond to Marathon and Destiny 2’s ongoing content support in 2025.
