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In the latest episode of “The Console Wars,” Sony Corp. is reported to be acquiring videogame publisher Bungie.
Bungie, which publishes the “Destiny” franchise, announced on its website Monday that it would be joining PlayStation, stating “we have found a partner who unconditionally supports us in all we are and who wants to accelerate our vision to create generation-spanning entertainment, all while preserving the creative independence that beats in Bungie’s heart.”
American depositary receipts of Sony SONY, +4.35% rallied as much as 6% Monday, while shares on the Nikkei 6758, +3.96% were up 4%.
In an FAQ page, Bungie said that “Destiny 2” would continue to be supported on not only Sony’s PlayStation but on Microsoft Corp.’s MSFT, +0.07% Xbox console and Alphabet Inc.’s GOOG, +1.30% GOOGL, +1.11% Stadia.
No terms or acquisition price was announced. Bungie was the studio that originally created “Halo,” one of the biggest exclusive games on Microsoft’s Xbox in its early days. Microsoft acquired Bungie in 2000, but eventually spun out the publisher on its own.
The announcement happens to come on the heels of Microsoft announcement it would acquire videogame publisher Activision Blizzard Inc. ATVI, -0.16% for $69 billion, which analysts had forecast would result in an M&A wave. Microsoft has also said that it will continue to produce popular videogames such as
Also in January, Take-Two Interactive Inc. TTWO, +2.17% announced that it would acquire Zynga Inc. ZNGA, +5.25% for $12.7 billion.
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