Bungie to Sublease Massive Bellevue HQ After Layoffs

Bungie confirms plans to sublease 210,984 square feet of its Bellevue headquarters, citing a shift to a 'digital first' model following recent layoffs.

Ever walked into an office that feels way too big for the team? Bungie knows that feeling all too well. The Destiny maker just confirmed it's subleasing a massive chunk of its Bellevue, Washington headquarters—210,984 square feet, to be exact.

That's a lot of empty desks, right? After the layoffs that hit the studio, it makes sense. Bungie says this move is all about doubling down on a 'digital first' way of working. Basically, they're saying, 'Hey, we don't need all this physical space when we can collaborate just fine online.'

For context, Bungie's HQ isn't just any office—it's a sprawling campus that was supposed to be the hub for all things Destiny and beyond. But with the industry shifting and Bungie tightening its belt, they're looking to offload some of that real estate. It's a practical move, but it also sends a message about how they see the future of work.

Now, you might be wondering what this means for the games. Rest assured, Bungie says this won't affect development. They're still committed to making Destiny 2 and whatever's next, just with a leaner, more distributed team. The 'digital first' model isn't new—lots of studios have gone remote or hybrid—but for a company that was once so tied to its physical space, it's a big shift.

Let's rewind a bit. Bungie's had a rough year, with layoffs that shook the community. Subleasing part of the HQ feels like a natural next step, a way to right-size after those tough decisions. It's not easy to see a studio downsize, but sometimes you've got to adapt to survive.

So, will we see more studios follow suit? The gaming industry is in a weird spot right now, with budgets ballooning and teams scattered. Bungie's move might just be a sign of the times. But for players, what matters most is the games. And Bungie's promising that the focus remains on delivering great experiences, no matter where the devs are sitting.

What do you think? Is going digital first the smart play for studios like Bungie, or do you miss the days when devs were all under one roof? Let us know in the comments!