PlayStation Studios Acquires New Company

In a strategic move to broaden its already remarkable portfolio of first-party offerings, PlayStation Studios has purchased Firewalk Studios—a developer yet to release its inaugural game.

Nevertheless, PlayStation appears captivated by the progress made thus far.

Firewalk Studios: A Promising Newcomer in Game Development

Established over half a decade ago by experienced game director Ryan Ellis and former Activision CFO Tony Hsu, Firewalk Studios has garnered attention for its forthcoming debut—a “AAA multiplayer game for PlayStation.” Although specifics about the game remain scarce, Ellis and Hsu have enjoyed support from Sony since 2021.

The recent acquisition by PlayStation Studios signals a heightened commitment, potentially indicating promising prospects for the game under development.

Head of PlayStation Studios Herman Hulst announced the acquisition today. While the official statement does not divulge details about Firewalk’s current project, it does emphasize the studio’s focus on “creating inspiring worlds grounded in exceptional gameplay.”

The founders’ history within the Destiny franchise bodes well for a large-scale world with top-notch multiplayer gameplay.

Founders Boast a Rich History in Gaming

Ryan Ellis, the co-founder of Firewalk Studios, previously worked as Technical Art Director for Destiny and Creative Director for Destiny 2 while at Bungie. His other notable credits include Halo Reach, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, and various Oddworld titles.

Ellis’s fellow Firewalk founder Tony Hsu boasts over seven years of experience in Activision’s finance department.

Speculation and PlayStation’s Multiplayer Future

As of now, speculation runs rife among onlookers regarding Firewalk Studios and its partnership with PlayStation. Undoubtedly, Sony aims to bolster its multiplayer content—an ambition underscored by its 2021 announcement to launch at least 10 live service games by 2026.

PlayStation’s single-player catalog—featuring powerhouses like God of War, Horizon, and Spider-Man, as well as the ever-growing The Last of Us series—stands as one of the industry’s most formidable.

Historically, multiplayer hasn’t been a primary focus for its first-party titles; however, Firewalk’s upcoming game could signify PlayStation’s efforts to address that deficiency.

Nevertheless, this is a great addition to the tech giant of gaming since it has been reported that PlayStation 6 is under development.