Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC (SIE) has announced its acquisition of Firewalk Studios from ProbablyMonsters Inc. The deal will see Firewalk Studios, a team of industry-leading creatives, working on an original AAA multiplayer game for PlayStation 5 and PC. The Bellevue, Washington-based studio will collaborate with world-class development teams, including Bungie and Haven Interactive Studios, to create a new generation of live service experiences for PlayStation gamers.
Firewalk Studios was established in 2018 as a part of ProbablyMonsters, an independent AAA game company founded by CEO Harold Ryan, who formerly held positions as CEO, President, and Chairman at Bungie. The company focuses on building sustainable game teams that develop original AAA titles. Firewalk’s team is composed of top-tier developers led by industry veterans Tony Hsu, former GM and SVP of Destiny at Activision, and Ryan Ellis, previously Creative Director at Bungie.
In April 2021, ProbablyMonsters and Firewalk announced an exclusive publishing partnership with SIE, and with this acquisition, Firewalk will become the 20th studio to join PlayStation Studios. Jim Ryan, President & CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment, expressed confidence in Firewalk Studios’ ability to create exceptional multiplayer games, believing their upcoming project will be a strong addition to PlayStation Studios’ portfolio.
Hermen Hulst, Head of PlayStation Studios, shared excitement about the expanded collaboration with Firewalk Studios, praising the team’s innovative approach to connected storytelling and commitment to high-quality gameplay. Tony Hsu, Studio Head of Firewalk Studios, also expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, acknowledging SIE’s support in helping the team transform their vision into reality.
Harold Ryan, CEO and President of ProbablyMonsters, conveyed pride in the Firewalk team and the game they had incubated over the years. He called the acquisition a “brilliant move” for the team, the game, and future players, emphasizing that ProbablyMonsters aims to find the best path to market for all their games.
Firewalk Studios will continue its day-to-day operations post-acquisition under the leadership of the studio’s management team, working closely with the PlayStation Studios External Development team. The terms of the transaction, including the acquisition cost, remain undisclosed due to contractual commitments.
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