Sony buys Halo and Destiny videogame developer Bungie for US$3.6 billion

The huge upheaval in the gaming sector continues with Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) announcing today it has acquired independent videogame developer Bungie for US$3.6 billion.

Bungie is best known for creating Halo while it was owned by Microsoft, and Destiny while it partnered with Activision.

This news comes in the wake of Microsoft’s recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard for US$68 billion. And just last week, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund PIF’s Savvy Gaming Group, acquired two of the biggest e-sports names ESL and FACEIT for US$1.5 billion.

According to Kenichiro Yoshida, chairman, president and CEO of Sony Group Corporation, “Bungie has created and continues to evolve some of the world’s most beloved videogame franchises and, by aligning its values with people’s desire to share gameplay experiences, they bring together millions of people around the world.

“As part of our purpose to ‘fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology’, we will utilise the Sony Group’s diverse array of entertainment and technology assets to support further evolution of Bungie and its ability to create iconic worlds across multiple platforms and media.”

Post acquisition Bungie will continue to operate independently and will be run by its current management team, headed up by Pete Parsons, Bungie CEO and chairman.

“In SIE, we have found a partner that fully supports us and wants to accelerate our vision of creating meaningful entertainment experiences that span generations, all while valuing the creative independence that is the heartbeat of Bungie,” said Parsons.

“Both Bungie and SIE believe that game worlds are only the beginning of what our IP will become. Our original universes have immense potential and, with SIE’s support, we will propel Bungie into becoming a global multi-media entertainment company dedicated to delivering on our creative vision.”

According to a recent article by Forbes, it remains unclear if future Bungie developments will be PlayStation exclusive or if players using other consoles including Xbox and PC will continue to be able to play Bungie games such as Destiny.

However, Parsons indicates that the games will be widely accessible stating, “We will continue to independently publish and creatively develop our games. We will continue to drive one, unified Bungie community. Our games will continue to be where our community is, wherever they choose to play.”