Impressive purchase
PlayStation announces purchase of Bungie, Destiny's developer
Bungie would become part of the PlayStation Studios staff for a $3.6 billion purchase, although it would remain an Independent and multi-platform studio.
Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced it will acquire developer studio Bungie for $3.6 billion. With this move, the creators of franchises such as Halo and Destiny will join the PlayStation Studios portfolio, although PlayStation Studios will remain a multiplatform studio.
“Independent and multi-platform studio”
The announcement was made via the PlayStation Blog, where Jim Ryan, President and CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, wrote about this new deal. “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”, wrote Ryan. One of the details the executive makes clear is that the studio, despite its acquisition “will remain an independent and multi-platform studio and publisher.” According Ryan, Bungie's proprietary tools “will help PlayStation Studios achieve new heights under Hermen Hulst’s leadership.”
Hermen Hulst, Head of PlayStation Studios, welcomed Bungie as part of the PlayStation family. In his text, he highlighted the technological advances developed by the studio and its commitment to its communities. “it is clear their experience and skills are highly complementary to our own. We will be ready to welcome and support Bungie as they continue to grow,” he concludes.
Finally, Peter Parsons, CEO of Bungie, writes about this purchase, highlighting the commonalities his studio and Sony share. “Like us, Sony believes that game worlds are only the beginning of what our IPs can become,” wrote Parsons. “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.”
A period of acquisitions
This acquisition is the latest in a series of purchases made in early 2022. The first being the $12.7 billion purchase of Zynga by Take-Two, owners of Rockstar Games and 2K. More recently, a couple of weeks ago it was Microsoft that bought Activision-Blizzard for $68.7 billion dollars. These agreements will be examined by the government to analyze and avoid any type of antitrust, although it is most likely that they will be finalized by 2023.
Sources: PlayStation | Bungie