Bungie Officially Part of PlayStation Studios in Sony's Report

In its most recent financial report, Sony Interactive Entertainment revealed that Bungie, the developer of Destiny and Marathon, is now explicitly listed as part of PlayStation Studios. This formal inclusion, which marks a significant step in integrating Bungie into the PlayStation ecosystem, appears in a chart detailing the distribution of Sony's internal studios and their development focuses (single-player, multiplayer, or evolving with multiple genres).

The acquisition of Bungie by Sony, announced in January 2022 for approximately US$ 3.6 billion, aimed to strengthen PlayStation's capabilities in the games-as-a-service sector. Although Bungie has maintained a certain degree of operational autonomy since the acquisition, the formalization of its inclusion in PlayStation Studios in the financial report suggests a deeper integration. This contrasts with other studios that support projects or are partners, where Bungie now appears directly among Sony's internal developers.

Sony's report highlights that studios like Housemarque, Naughty Dog, Insomniac, Team Asobi, Sony Santa Monica, and Sucker Punch remain focused on single-player experiences, responsible for some of PlayStation's biggest successes across generations. However, other studios are on a path of "evolution," exploring different genres and game models.

Firesprite, responsible for Horizon Call of the Mountain, also continues in single-player games. On the other hand, Sony Bend (Days Gone) and Bluepoint (specializing in remasters and remakes) have transitioned to evolving studios. Sony Bend's move fuels speculation about a possible cooperative adventure based on Days Gone, while Bluepoint suggests that their next project will also have a multiplayer component.

San Diego Studio (MLB The Show) and Haven are cited as producers focused on games-as-a-service, and it is within this group that Bungie curiously positions itself as part of Sony's internal studios. This categorization indicates the strategic importance of Bungie to PlayStation's plans to expand its presence in the lucrative games-as-a-service market, as previously emphasized by Hermen Hulst, head of PlayStation Studios, who expressed great enthusiasm for Marathon in recent statements.

The inclusion of Bungie in the roster of PlayStation studios signals not only progress in post-acquisition integration but also Sony's priority in diversifying its game portfolio. While single-player blockbusters remain a pillar, the focus on games-as-a-service and multiplayer experiences, with Bungie at the forefront, demonstrates an adaptation to current industry trends and a search for new sources of recurring revenue.

This formal integration of Bungie into the structure of PlayStation Studios may change how the company approaches the development of its future games, like Marathon?