Sony Boss Hermen Hulst Allegedly Taking Control of Bungie as Ex-Employees Call for Current CEO to Leave | Push Square
pushsquare.comBack when Sony acquired Bungie for $3.6 billion, the deal repeatedly stressed that the Destiny developer would continue to remain independent, and would operate adjacent to PS Studios, rather than underneath it. However, there were apparently performance targets in place which meant if the studio missed them, PlayStation management would wrestle back control.
It’s unclear that’s what’s happened this week, but following a significant downscaling of the Halo maker, it does sound like Sony is beginning to show a bit of authority over its acquisition. Well-connected industry reporter Jeff Grubb wrote on X (also Twitter) that “in time, Bungie will lose its autonomy and will become like any other PS Studio under SIE and Herman Hulst”.
While staff had been previously resistant to the idea of PlayStation management coming in, it seems like the latest round of lay offs are proving to be the straw that broke the camel’s back. Bungie cut around 220 employees this week, while a further 150 were reallocated to roles elsewhere within Sony. A remaining 40 staff are in the process of establishing a brand new PS Studio.
Destiny's wild
«Today is a difficult and painful day»
«Inspired by several genres»
And many former employees feel it’s time for current CEO Pete Parsons to go. “You are a liar, a thief, and so many things we can’t discuss publicly,” alleged ex-community manager Liana Ruppert. “Step down, and without the giant Sony pay out. This isn’t on Sony, this is squarely on the failure of leadership. Plain and simple.”
Griffin Bennett, who previously worked on Destiny, added: “[Is] c-suite taking accountability for any of this or still just ‘withholding bonuses’ and it’ll be ‘settled in-house’? Poor leadership has crushed one of the greatest developers of all time. Retire, Pete.”
And community coordinator Sam Bartley continued: “Coward. You did this. You chose this. I’m already listed as ‘do not work with’ and I don’t care anymore. You lied to my face. Straight to it. You also
Read more on pushsquare.com
