Bungie Is Getting a New Studio Head

The last couple of years have been a bit rough for Bungie, with layoffs in July 2024 and Marathon seemingly missing the mark with its audience following a closed alpha test. Now, the company has announced that Pete Parsons will step down as CEO and studio head, with Justin Truman stepping into the role. Parsons has been with Bungie for more than two decades, taking the reins in 2015. During his tenure as CEO and studio head, he oversaw Destiny 2’s release and the studio’s acquisition by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Truman is replacing Parsons, effective today.

Truman’s most recent roles at Bungie include general manager of Destiny 2 and chief development officer. He has spent 15 years at Bungie, starting as an engineer on the original Destiny. He has also served as a designer for Destiny 2 and as a producer on the rollout of Destiny’s first seasons. In a statement posted on Bungie’s official website, Truman confirmed that the studio remains focused on Marathon and Destiny and plans to show more about both games later this year.

Bungie is best known for creating the Halo franchise after Microsoft acquired the studio in 2000. It stayed under the Microsoft umbrella until 2007, when it split and became a privately held independent company. Microsoft, however, retained ownership of Halo and handed it over to 343 Industries. Meanwhile, Bungie signed a publishing deal with Activision, which resulted in Destiny’s launch in 2014. The partnership with Activision ended in 2019, three years before Sony Interactive Entertainment acquired Bungie.