Sony makes deal to acquire another Eastside game studio
PlayStation maker, Sony, has acquired Bungie, the Bellevue-based game developer, for $3.6 billion.
Sony Interactive Entertainment has acquired Firewalk Studios in Bellevue, a developer of video games.
SIE, the San Mateo-based California subsidiary of Japan's conglomerate Sony Group did not disclose the financial terms of the transaction. Sony has acquired a second Seattle-area game studio in recent months. The company bought Bellevue's Bungie for $3.6 billion back in July.
In a press release issued on Thursday, SIE CEO Jim Ryan stated that Firewalk Studios was led by an experienced team of professionals who are passionate about making exceptional multiplayer games.
A Sony spokesperson confirmed that Firewalk would maintain its brand name and that it has approximately 150 employees.
The press release stated that the management team of the studio will continue to manage the day-to-day operation after the closing. The release also stated that Firewalk was growing its staff, but did not give any specifics.
Firewalk was launched in 2018 by the Bellevue, Washington-based company ProbablyMonsters. ProbablyMonsters was founded in 2016, by Harold Ryan, former Bungie CEO. Firewalk signed an exclusive publishing agreement with SIE for 2021. The studio is working on a PlayStation game.
Firewalk has not revealed any details about the game it is working on. Firewalk's website states that its goal is to "spark unforgettable multiplayer experiences" and will reveal more details about its project in future.
ProbablyMonsters completed a $250 Million Series A round of funding in January 2022. Cauldron is a studio that is working on an adventure game. Battle Barge is a studio that is working on rpgs. According to ProbablyMonsters the company employs more than 450 people.
SIE is the company that owns and operates PlayStation. God of War, Gran Turismo and other games are among its products.
Tony Hsu said, "We have assembled an incredible team at Firewalk Studios. We've built it specifically to deliver memorable multiplayer experiences to gamers around the globe." SIE has been supportive of our team's mission from the start.