Sony bought Bungie for $3.6 billion in 2022, just before the release of Destiny 2’s best expansion. Fast forward to early 2026, and Sony is now reporting a $560 million impairment cost related to this acquisition. This hit came right after the launch of Bungie’s new game, Marathon.
The company has cited substantial impairment losses against Bungie’s assets. In total, Sony lost nearly $765 million from the Bungie deal last year. This raises concerns about potential future losses as well.
Marathon, Bungie’s first new game in over ten years, launched on March 5. However, sales numbers and player counts remain unconfirmed. Despite positive reviews, Marathon hasn’t been a top contender in the gaming charts, failing to stay in the top ten most played games on platforms like PS5, Xbox, or PC. It’s currently seeing between 10,000 and 15,000 concurrent players on Steam, where it has sold most of its copies. For context, Destiny 2 had much higher player counts at its peak, and even it is now facing a decline.
After the acquisition, Bungie faced multiple layoffs and a change in leadership. This has raised concerns among fans about the studio’s stability, especially as it juggles two live-service games under pressure.
To attract more players, Marathon is testing out more casual modes. However, there’s skepticism about whether this will create a lasting impact without stronger marketing efforts from Sony. Reducing the game’s price or offering a free trial weekend have been suggested as potential strategies but remain unannounced.
In a time where player engagement is critical, the success of Marathon and Bungie’s future hangs in the balance. Understanding the challenges ahead can help gamers gauge what to expect from this beloved studio in the coming months.
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