Bungie Confirms Subleasing Plans for Bellevue HQ Following Layoffs

Bungie has confirmed it is "exploring options" to sublease 210,984 square feet of its massive headquarters in Bellevue, Washington, citing its continued commitment to a "digital first" approach. This decision comes in the wake of significant layoffs that hit the studio in June.

The Game Post broke the news after reviewing a 10-page leasing brochure for the property, which indicated that the space would be available for sublease until September 30, 2035. That lengthy timeline has sparked concern among fans about Bungie's future projects.

In a statement to The Game Post, a Bungie spokesperson explained: "Bungie is exploring options to sublease its campus in Bellevue, Washington. The studio transitioned to a digital-first model several years ago, and this move reflects the team's evolving workplace needs and the effectiveness of its remote collaboration. Bungie will continue to maintain a physical office presence in Bellevue."

Community reactions have been divided. Some see it as a logical step given the recent layoffs, while others worry about what it signals for the studio's future. One user on X wrote, "I've seen people dooming about this like it doesn't make a ton of sense in the present circumstances. 400-something people aren't gonna be able to use that space in full, and it's better than letting it collect dust." Another added, "Bungie is so good at making games that I wish they could fill all this space and have 2-5 projects at once. But with their reduced size now, it's probably the wise decision." A third commented, "In layman's terms, 'We're all going to be working from home now, since we can no longer afford our massive offices.'"

Bungie laid off 292 employees at its Bellevue office in June, marking its third round of layoffs in three years. According to The Seattle Times, the location had 1,000 staff in 2023, but the company has since cut around 320 jobs between October 2023 and July 2024, making the latest round particularly harsh.

This news follows growing discontent among Bungie's fanbase, who recently spammed PlayStation's September State of Play chat with requests for Destiny 3. The developer ended support for Destiny 2 earlier this year to focus on Marathon. Forbes reported that plans for a "relaunch" as Destiny Infinity were scrapped, and Destiny 3 was also considered but "things didn't swing that way."