Sony buys ‘Destiny’ developer and ‘Halo’ creator Bungie for $3.6 billion
Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is buying Bungie Inc., the video game developer behind online multiplayer shooter game Destiny and original creator of Halo, for $3.6 billion.
The acquisition arrives shortly after Microsoft’s announcement that it intends to acquire Activision Blizzard in a deal worth $68.7 billion.
Bungie CEO Pete Parsons welcomed the acquisition in an official statement on Monday (Jan. 31), saying that Bungie is betting big on their vision and studio.
“In SIE, we have found a partner who unconditionally supports us in all we are and who wants to accelerate our vision to create generation-spanning entertainment, all while preserving the creative independence that beats in Bungie’s heart,” Parsons wrote. “Like us, SIE believes that game worlds are only the beginning of what our IPs can become. Together, we share a dream of creating and fostering iconic franchises that unite friends around the world, families across generations, and fans across multiple platforms and entertainment mediums.”
Bungie has limitless potential to unite friends around the world.
— Bungie (@Bungie) January 31, 2022
We have found a partner in PlayStation that shares our dream and is committed to accelerating our creative vision of building generation-spanning entertainment.
Our journey begins today.https://t.co/PLuVn48zdy pic.twitter.com/kAhRbAg3vD
Established in 1991, the video game studio created Marathon and Myth, two successful video game franchises for the Macintosh during its early years.
After Bungie's acquisition by Microsoft in 2000, its project, Halo: Combat Evolved, was repurposed as a launch title for Microsoft’s Xbox console.
Halo went on to become one of Xbox’s most popular titles, selling millions of copies and spawning the long-running Halo franchise, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year.
Parsons stressed that Bungie will “remain in charge of their destiny” and continue to independently publish and creatively develop their games.
At present, Bungie is working on maintaining Destiny 2, expanding the Destiny franchise, and working on new IP.
In an FAQ about the deal, Bungie discussed how the acquisition will affect the long-running hit Destiny 2, assuring fans that future games will not become PlayStation exclusives.
“Our games will continue to be where our community is, wherever they choose to play.
“With SIE, the potential for our universes is unlimited. Our future games will take bold steps into unexplored spaces for Bungie, continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, and will always be built on a foundation of creating meaningful, lifelong friendships and memories.”
In a separate statement on the PlayStation blog, SIE president and CEO Jim Ryan reiterated that the legendary studio would remain independent and would sit alongside the company’s PlayStation Studios developers.
Bungie is joining PlayStation.
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) January 31, 2022
Here’s what to expect from this exciting news: https://t.co/s1L3PhQ9vK pic.twitter.com/0R1qhnEDKk
"First off, I want to be very clear to the community that Bungie will remain an independent and multi-platform studio and publisher. As such, we believe it makes sense for it to sit alongside the PlayStation Studios organization, and we are incredibly excited about the opportunities for synergies and collaboration between these two world-class groups."
“Bungie’s world-class expertise in multi-platform development and live game services will help us deliver on our vision of expanding PlayStation to hundreds of millions of gamers,” added Ryan.