Sony Interactive Entertainment is acquiring Firewalk Studios, a video game developer based in Bellevue.
SIE, a San Mateo, California-based subsidiary of the Japan-based conglomerate Sony Group, didn't disclose financial terms of the deal. It's Sony's second recent acquisition of a Seattle-area video game studio — the company closed its $3.6 billion acquisition of Bellevue-based Bungie in July.
“Firewalk Studios is led by a world-class team that is highly experienced and deeply passionate about creating exceptional multiplayer games,” SIE CEO Jim Ryan said in a news release Thursday.
A Sony spokesperson said Firewalk will maintain its brand and that the studio has almost 150 employees.
The release said the studio's management team will continue to run day-to-day operations after the deal closes. It also noted Firewalk is growing its headcount but didn't give specifics.
Firewalk launched in 2018 as part of Bellevue-based game company ProbablyMonsters, which was founded in 2016 by former Bungie CEO Harold Ryan. Firewalk entered an exclusive publishing partnership with SIE in 2021, as the studio is developing a game for Sony's PlayStation gaming console.
The companies didn't disclose details on the game Firewalk is developing. On its website, Firewalk says its mission is to "spark incredible multiplayer experiences that inspire memorable moments," and the studio will release more details on its project in the future.
ProbablyMonsters closed a $250 million Series A round in January 2022. Its other studios include Cauldron, which is making an adventure game, and Battle Barge, which is making a role-playing game. According to ProbablyMonsters, the company has more than 450 employees.
SIE runs the PlayStation brand and its products. Its games include God of War and Gran Turismo.
“We've assembled an amazing team at Firewalk Studios, built specifically to bring memorable multiplayer experiences to players around the world,” Tony Hsu, studio head of Firewalk Studios, said in the release. “SIE has supported our team’s vision from the beginning."
