Mumbai: Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced that it will acquire video game developer Bungie in a deal that is estimated to be worth $3.6 billion.

“Bungie’s world-class expertise in multi-platform development and live game services will help us deliver on our vision of expanding PlayStation to hundreds of millions of gamers,” said Sony Interactive Entertainment president and CEO Jim Ryan. “Bungie is a great innovator and has developed incredible proprietary tools that will help PlayStation Studios achieve new heights under Hermen Hulst’s leadership.”

Bungie is the developer behind the popular gaming franchise "Halo" and massively multiplayer online game "Destiny." Post the acquisition, Bungie will continue to independently develop and publish games and will continue to be present on all platforms and not just Playstation.

“In SIE, 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,” said Bungie CEO Pete Parsons. “We will continue to independently publish and creatively develop our games. We will continue to drive one, unified Bungie community. Our games will continue to be where our community is, wherever they choose to play.”

“I have spent a great deal of time with the senior team at Bungie and it is clear their experience and skills are highly complementary to our own,” said Playstation Studios head Hermen Hulst. “We will be ready to welcome and support Bungie as they continue to grow, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for this incredible team.”