Bungie CEO Sparks Controversy with Multi-Million Dollar Spending Spree Amid Layoff Announcement

Pete Parsons, the CEO of Bungie, has come under fire following revelations of his extravagant purchases of classic cars and motorcycles since Sony's acquisition of the studio in February 2022. The executive's spending spree, totaling over $2 million, has raised eyebrows, particularly in light of the recent layoff announcement that has left many former Bungie employees without a job.

An account on the popular classic car auction site Bring A Trailer, with the username 'bngpparsons', has shed light on Parsons' lavish spending habits. Since September 2022, the account has made winning bids totaling $2,414,550, acquiring notable vehicles such as a 1973 Datsun 240Z, a 1961 Chevrolet Corvette, and a 1971 Porsche 911S Coupe.

What adds fuel to the controversy is the timing of Parsons' purchases. Several of the high-value bids were made during the months when Bungie was implementing mass layoffs. This has fueled outrage among former staff members and industry insiders who question the CEO's priorities in the midst of such a challenging time for the company.

Calls for Parsons' resignation have intensified following the recent layoff announcement, which revealed that 220 staff members would be let go. Additionally, 155 employees will be integrated into Sony, while 40 will be part of a new PlayStation studio that will take over development of one of Bungie's ongoing projects.

In an internal communication, Parsons acknowledged the financial difficulties faced by Bungie, stating that the studio had been "overly ambitious" and had exceeded its financial safety margins. However, many remain critical of the CEO's financial decisions, particularly as employees continue to face job insecurity.

Taylor 'Tailored' Broomall, Valorant player association program manager, took to Twitter to express their disappointment, stating, "Bungie lays off 17% of its workforce... unrelated here is a list of cars the CEO has purchased on BAT." Broomall highlighted the importance of solidarity between players and workers in times of adversity.

In an IGN report from the time of Bungie's previous round of layoffs in October 2023, it was revealed that suggestions of leadership taking salary cuts to prevent further job cuts were dismissed. A Bungie department head had stated that the company was "not that type of company" when it came to sharing the financial burden.

As the news of Parsons' spending and the layoffs continues to circulate, concerns about the company's future and the well-being of its employees linger. The spotlight now rests on Bungie as it faces growing pressure to address these issues and provide clarity on the situation.

We have reached out to Bungie for a comment on the matter, but no response has been received at the time of writing.