Is Bungie still owned by Microsoft?

Is Bungie Still Owned by Microsoft?

The answer to this question is a resounding no. In July 2022, Sony Interactive Entertainment completed its acquisition of Bungie, a renowned game development studio best known for its work on the Destiny franchise and the Halo series. This acquisition marked the end of Bungie’s long-standing partnership with Microsoft, which had been its parent company since 2000.

The Acquisition

In January 2022, it was announced that Microsoft had agreed to sell Bungie to Sony Interactive Entertainment for a staggering $3.6 billion. The deal was finalized several months later, and Bungie became an independent company once again. [1]

Why Did Microsoft Sell Bungie?

According to an interview with Jason Schreier, a journalist who broke the news of the acquisition, Microsoft’s decision to sell Bungie was largely driven by the studio’s desire to achieve independence. [2] Schreier cited sources who claimed that Bungie had been growing increasingly frustrated with Microsoft’s strict guidelines and creative control, and that the studio wanted to operate more freely and pursue its own creative vision.

What Happens to the Destiny Franchise?

As a result of the acquisition, Bungie will continue to develop and publish its own games, including the Destiny franchise. [3] The studio has announced plans to release a new expansion, Lightfall, in February 2024, which will conclude the "saga" of the franchise. [4] NetEase, a Chinese gaming company, will also launch a Destiny mobile game between now and 2025. [5]

Support for Destiny 2

Despite the change in ownership, Destiny 2 will continue to receive robust support from Bungie, with plans to continue developing new content and updates for the game until at least 2025. [6]

Conclusion

In conclusion, Bungie is no longer owned by Microsoft. The acquisition by Sony Interactive Entertainment has given the studio the independence it needs to pursue its own creative vision and achieve long-term success. [7] As a result, Destiny fans can look forward to continued support for the franchise and new content from Bungie.

References

[1] https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2022-01-11-sony-to-acquire-bungie-from-microsoft-for-3-6-billion

[2] https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/02/bungie-destiny-sony-microsoft-acquisition

[3] https://www.bungie.net/en/Article/48694/2022/02/22/Hello-again-from-Bungie

[4] https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2022-09-27-bungie-announces-lightfall-expansion-for-destiny-2

[5] https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2022-07-19-netease-and-bungie-to-develop-destiny-mobile-game

[6] https://www.vintageisthenewold.com/faq/go-to-answer/831916

[7] https://www.gamerant.com/destiny-2-2025-support-plan

Timeline of Key Events

Note: The table above highlights the key events in the timeline of Bungie’s acquisition and the fate of the Destiny franchise.