Sony Interactive Entertainment has said it intends to acquire the developer of Destiny, Bungie.

The PlayStation maker is acquiring the iconic studio for $3.6 billion. After the deal closes, Bungie will be an independent subsidiary of Sony Interactive Entertainment. Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, SIE boss Jim Ryan (pictured) said that Bungie would remain a multiplatform developer and publisher.

“We’ve had a strong partnership with Bungie since the inception of the Destiny franchise, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to officially welcome the studio to the PlayStation family,” Ryan said in a press release about the deal.

“This is an important step in our strategy to expand the reach of PlayStation to a much wider audience. We understand how vital Bungie’s community is to the studio and look forward to supporting them as they remain independent and continue to grow. Like Bungie, our community is core to PlayStation’s DNA, and our shared passion for the gamer and building the best place to play will now evolve even further.”

Bungie CEO and president Pete Parsons added: “In SIE, we have found a partner that fully supports us and wants to accelerate our vision of creating meaningful entertainment experiences that span generations, all while valuing the creative independence that is the heartbeat of Bungie. We will continue pursuing our vision of one, unified Bungie community, building games that value our community and meet them wherever and however they choose to play. Both Bungie and SIE believe that game worlds are only the beginning of what our IP will become. Our original universes have immense potential and, with SIE’s support, we will propel Bungie into becoming a global multi-media entertainment company dedicated to delivering on our creative vision.”