Sony acquires video game developer Bungie for $3.6 billion

As far as physics is concerned, Newton’s third law observes that every action generates a reaction. However, it seems that the concept can also be applied to the video game industry, since the board of directors of Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has revealed the conditions of acquisition of development studio Bungie, creators of ‘Halo’ (though not currently attached to the series) and ‘Destiny’ developers, for $3.6 billion.

The revelation of this new billionaire shareholding movement in the sector comes immediately after its main rival, Microsoft, announced the purchase of Activision Blizzard, an entity far superior in assets, for an approximate amount of 68.7 billion dollars.

In this particular case, the motivation for acquiring Bungie lies in the intention to increase Sony’s ability to produce cross-platform games and expand the range of live services. Additionally, PlayStation execs want Bungie to bring their intellectual properties, for example, ‘Destiny’, to the film and television segment.

Welcome to the PlayStation family

“Bungie will continue to operate independently, maintaining your ability to self-publish and will reach gamers wherever they choose to play”, describes the statement from Sony Interactive.

On social media, Hermen Huls, director of PlayStation Studios, also appreciates the addition of the Washington-based American software house to the family:

“I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Bungie! They create community-driven games with exceptional technology that are a lot of fun and I know everyone at PlayStation Studios will be excited about what we’ll be able to share and learn together.”

“Independent subsidiary” of Sony Interactive Entertainment

Jim Ryan, President and CEO of SIE is also not far from the concept and assures that “I could not be more excited to officially welcome them to the PlayStation family”, he said, is an “important step” in expanding PlayStation’s reach to a “much larger audience”.

Bungie CEO Pete Parsons also assures that in SIE “they have found a partner that fully supports” the study.

“We will continue to pursue our vision of a unified Bungie community, creating games that value you and meeting you where and how you choose to play.”

With this, both Sony and Bungie have wanted to make it clear that they will continue to release their games on other platforms, as was also recently anticipated from the offices of Microsoft with the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. How far will they go in both cases with this idyllic multiplatform philosophy? Only time will tell.