Sony has answered Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard Acquisition By Buying Game Developer Bungie.
This big announcement was made via Bungie’s official website and means that Bungie will transition from an independent studio to an “independent subsidiary” of Sony Interactive Entertainment, with a board of directors comprised of Bungie’s present management team.
In the post, Bungie states:
” 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. 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 also said in the post “Today, Bungie begins our journey to become a global multi-media entertainment company.” This shows their confidence in Sony and their ability to take them further than they could’ve gone alone in the gaming industry.
Bungie seems to have a lot of faith in SIE and where they will take them in the future stating:
”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.”
Sony’s purchase appears to be more focused on investment than acquiring exclusive game IPs and Bungie will still retain control of “Destiny” and other games still in development and all those games will remain multi-platform.
Bungie has stated that Destiny 2 will be available on all current platforms, including Microsoft Xbox, Google Stadia, and PC, so fans need not be anxious about the game’s future.
With the next Witch Queen expansion, cross-play is expected. Up until The Final Shape in 2024, the arrangement will have no effect on any of Destiny 2’s previously scheduled events or expansions.
Even though Sony has a history of making exclusive PlayStation titles, Bungie seems to remain committed to creating multiplatform games that are published outside of PlayStation. Regarding this Bungie stated:
“We will continue to be self-published, creatively independent, and we will continue to drive one, unified Bungie community.”
This major move comes just a few weeks after Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard for a whopping $70 billion.
Bungie was previously under the Microsoft umbrella during the creation of Halo, and later under Activision during the development of Destiny. This makes us wonder if Bungie will stick with one company this time or will be jumping ship again in the future.
After the acquisition of Bungie, Sony revealed that it plans to acquire more studios, indicating that the acquisition war is in full force.
With all the recent acquisitions and merges of gaming companies what will happen to healthy competition and pricing in the industry? Only time will tell what will be in store for us consumers.