Activision engages the Budget Cannon : 30 Bungie Staff Fired

[EvilBoris]

So the jist of it is 'Budgetary Concerns' from the 'Publisher' has caused Bungie to let go of all part time staff. One of these guys is pissed and is claiming that Bungie's next title is an MMO FPS Currently Called Project Destiny.

I and about 30 other people were let go for no reason recently after Bungie decided to let go every employee who wasn?t full-time employed, this included producers, artists, programmers, most of the IT staff, and security. We were given no warning and were actually told there was a ?full-time employee only meeting? and that we had to leave the building early, only to find out once we left that our email accounts were killed.
benefits because of the false ?performance related? remarks. One of the IT contractors let go actually had just won an award for his performance that afternoon.

The new Sci Fi game is said to feature a matchmaking system and a new proprietary engine *gasp*

[NecronomiconUK]

Possibly BS

http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=news&cid=30678

[Family Fry]

I smell a cover up, great response though.

"Bungie has never been asked to lay off any employees or contract employees by our publisher, Activision-Blizzard, for any reason. The talented professionals who grace our offices day in and day out are the lifeblood of Bungie ? our most cherished commodity ? and the unsubstantiated rumors posted today are in direct opposition to the culture and values that we believe make Bungie an exceptional place to work, and to call home."

So, Yes or No did 30 staff lose their jobs?

[Daragon]

Well, 30 people lose their jobs and exactly 30 vacancies on their hiring page.

Hmm........

[Neon Ignition]

To be honest, if they did get rid of the staff it wouldn't be too surprising purely from the perspective that before they were working on the MMO and Halo. Without Halo and the cushion of MS to fall on it wouldn't be surprising that they would look to maintain a cost effective team. They need to keep costs down, they're working on a risky and expensive project.