A month after mass layoffs at Bungie, Marathon game director Joe Ziegler is leaving the studio
Bungie has announced that Joe Ziegler, game director of the extraction shooter Marathon, is stepping down from his position, effective July 17, 2026. Del Chafe III, who previously served as the game’s assistant game director, will assume the role and lead Marathon’s continued development forward.
The departure comes approximately one month after Bungie conducted significant layoffs following the release of the final major update for Destiny 2. The timing suggests ongoing organizational changes at the studio as it navigates transitions across its sprawling portfolio of live-service titles and manages the aftermath of the recent restructuring effort.
Chafe’s promotion to game director occurs ahead of the mid-season 2 patch for Marathon, scheduled for the following week. Ziegler’s announcement expressed confidence in Chafe’s capabilities, describing the assistant director as “very capable and amazing” and noting that he will “guide the game forward.”
The leadership change reflects the continued evolution at Bungie as the studio manages Marathon’s ongoing live-service operations and adjusts its strategic focus following the recent organizational restructuring. The transition preserves continuity in the game’s direction during a period of significant change for the developer.