Destiny 2, a well-known game in the gaming community, recently found itself in a peculiar situation. Despite Bungie, the game’s developer, laying off numerous community managers, Destiny 2 received a nomination for Best Community Support at The Game Awards. This event is widely recognized as the most significant awards show in the gaming industry, attracting a lot of attention with its high-profile presentations and guests.
The nomination comes as a surprise, especially considering the recent layoffs that included several social and community managers. This decision by Bungie has left many in the community with mixed feelings. Liana Ruppert, a former Destiny 2 community manager affected by the layoffs, expressed her thoughts on Twitter. She highlighted the dedication of her colleagues in advocating for players, often diverting poor decisions and amplifying good ones. Griffin Bennett, a former social media lead at Bungie, also commented on the situation, reflecting on the harsh reality of the industry where quality work often goes unrecognized in the face of corporate decisions.
Destiny 2 was nominated alongside other popular games like Final Fantasy 14, No Man’s Sky, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Cyberpunk 2077. The nomination, under these circumstances, raises questions about the criteria for such awards and the impact of corporate decisions on the gaming community. It underscores the complex relationship between game developers, their community management teams, and the players they serve.
This situation with Destiny 2 at The Game Awards serves as a reminder of the often unseen struggles within the gaming industry, where the efforts of dedicated individuals can be overshadowed by broader corporate actions. It also highlights the importance of community support roles in maintaining a game’s relationship with its players, a factor that becomes even more poignant in light of such layoffs.