Sony Interactive Entertainment Latest Acquisition Is Firewalk Studios

While competition is always a key factor to innovate any industry, video games are in a new race – for talent. Although first-party content remains the pinnacle selling point, acquiring new creatives is the ongoing battle between platform holders. Currently, the big buyout is from Microsoft for Activision Blizzard still developing which recently appears to earned a minor victory in the U.K. as the CMA views the deal to not hinder competition in the market.

Additionally, Sony Interactive Entertainment has slowly built up its first-party studios in recent time. The most notable being Bungie back in summer last year. Even more, the firm has also bought out teams including Bluepoint Games, Housemarque, and even Haven Entertainment Studios helmed by Jade Raymond; formerly Stagia Games & Entertainment.

Now this week, a new deal has been made – Firewalk Studios. Comprised of former Bungie talent, the team did previously share plans for an exclusive deal with the PlayStation firm already. Now, it is a first-party operation.

Over five years ago, we jumped at the chance to set up a new studio and build a new IP from the ground up. Recalling our own favorite times with games, we founded Firewalk Studios around the idea of delivering memorable moments – those amazing, had-to-be-there times shared with other people. Our goal is to deliver those shared moments of joy to players around the world.

Building a new studio at scale has been an incredibly exhilarating and relentlessly daunting task. Fortunately, we’ve been supported by great partners throughout – ProbablyMonsters helped turbocharge us in setting up the studio, and Sony has been supporting our project and our creative vision from the beginning.

We’ve assembled some of the most inspired talent in the industry to deliver awe-inspiring new worlds and experiences filled with great core gameplay. The excitement of building something new for players has thoroughly energized the team and our partners, and we’ve been playtesting every day.

Tony Hsu & Ryan Ellis, Firewalk Studios Studio Head and Game Director

Adding, “Today we’re taking the next natural step and joining PlayStation Studios. We’ve worked closely with Hermen and the very talented team at PlayStation for years, helping to make our new game even better. To join PlayStation Studios is to formally become part of a family that has produced many of the most storied games of our age, and we are honored.”

Head of PlayStation Studios Hermen Hulst injects: “Since announcing our publishing partnership with ProbablyMonsters and Firewalk in 2021, we continue to be impressed by the team’s ambitions to build a modern multiplayer game that connects players in new and innovative ways. The studio shares our passion for creating inspiring worlds grounded in exceptional gameplay, and we want to continue to invest in their mission.

“We’re excited for Firewalk to bring their technical and creative expertise to PlayStation Studios to help grow our live service operations and deliver something truly special for gamers.” What are your thoughts on the new acquisition by Sony?

Source: PlayStation Blog