Less than a week after gaming-news blog Kotaku outlined numerous troubles plaguing Destiny, the popular, first-person shooter game, comes word that the game’s developer has replaced its chief executive.
CEO Harold Ryan has stepped down and will be replaced by Pete Parsons, Bungie’s chief operating officer, the company has announced. Bellevue, Wash.-based Bungie, acquired by Microsoft in 2000 and spun off in 2007, is the shop that created the immensely popular Halo video game.
According to Kotaku, leading up to Ryan’s departure, Bungie’s development of Destiny was in a state of chaos. The author noted that there had been no significant additions since September, a year after the game’s launch, and suggested that Destiny’s next installment may not be released in September, as was widely expected.
According to the story, Bungie’s management had trouble communicating with fans as well as employees about the direction they intended to take the game.
“At one point, word was that the microtransactions added in October would be cosmetic-only,” Kotaku wrote. “But soon enough the studio quietly started selling level boosters as well. Bungie’s leadership has also vacillated on what content will launch this year and what they’ll save for Destiny 2, as well as whether near-future content will be free or paid.”
The company did not comment about Kotaku’s story, according to reports but did issue a statement from Parsons. “I want you to know my number one priority, and Bungie’s, is and always has been to deliver great games that we can all share together,” Parsons said. “I also believe you have yet to see our studio’s best work. My new role here at the studio will be entirely focused on fulfilling that promise.”
