Bungie & Destiny Vets Forge New Transmedia Universe at Stone Kite!

Alright, Guardians and sci-fi enthusiasts, gather 'round! We've got some genuinely exciting news hitting the wire that could shake up how we experience our favorite stories. Two legendary names from the halls of Bungie – co-founder Jason Jones (yes, that Jason Jones, the mind behind Halo and Destiny!) and Destiny 2's incredibly talented narrative director, Margaret Stohl – have officially pulled back the curtain on their brand-new venture: Stone Kite.

This isn't just another game studio or a book publisher. Stone Kite is launching as a "world-building studio" with a revolutionary transmedia philosophy that aims to reshape how narratives are born and spread across different forms of entertainment. If you've ever dreamt of universes seamlessly flowing between comics, games, film, and beyond, then you'll want to pay close attention to what Stohl, Jones, and their impressive team are cooking up in Los Angeles.

A Bold New Approach to Storytelling

At its core, Stone Kite is all about tearing down the traditional walls between creative mediums. Too often, a fantastic story starts as a game, then gets adapted into a movie, then maybe a comic, and things can get a bit…lost in translation. Margaret Stohl, who is leading Stone Kite as CEO, articulated this vision perfectly: "Instead of starting in one medium and adapting outward, we bring the best global creators from different disciplines into the room from day one to shape the world together." This is a game-changer, folks.

Imagine a universe where the comic artists, game designers, screenwriters, and novelists are all collaborating from the absolute genesis of an idea, ensuring consistency, depth, and creative synergy across every single facet of the story. This isn't just about cross-promotion; it's about genuine, simultaneous world-building. Stohl's background, having co-founded 7 Studios (later acquired by Activision) and authored the popular Beautiful Creatures series, gives her a unique perspective on storytelling across various formats, making her the ideal leader for such an ambitious endeavor. Jason Jones, with his legacy of crafting epic game worlds, adds an unparalleled layer of creative firepower.

Unveiling One Zero One: Their First Universe

So, what's the first world Stone Kite wants us to dive into? Say hello to One Zero One, a sprawling sci-fi saga born from an original manuscript penned by none other than Jason Jones himself. The premise sounds right up our alley: "a coming worldwide conflict between humanity and a rogue army of AI-driven robotic soldiers." Classic human vs. machine, but given the talent involved, expect layers of philosophical depth and character-driven drama that go far beyond your average skirmish.

One Zero One won't be kicking off as a video game, at least not yet. Instead, Stone Kite is launching it as a four-part comic book series. The best part? These issues will be released online for free, starting in early 2027! This is an incredibly fan-friendly move, allowing everyone to get a taste of this new universe without any barriers to entry. And while it starts with comics, the promise of "additional media projects" is certainly tantalizing, hinting at the true transmedia nature of Stone Kite's vision for One Zero One.

The Creative Cavalry: A Who's Who of Talent

Stone Kite isn't just Stohl and Jones; they've assembled an all-star roster that reads like a dream team across entertainment industries. The core founding team includes seasoned veterans like Stephen Wacker (a former media SVP), Lewis Peterson (President), Matt Johnson (Film and TV VP), and Jeanine Schaefer (Narrative Creative Director). These are individuals with deep roots in shaping narratives for wide audiences.

But that's just the beginning. The studio is collaborating with over 250 creators, bringing a staggering array of diverse talents to the table. We're talking about director and producer Jay Roach (known for blockbusters like Austin Powers), the visually stunning comic book artist Christian Ward, renowned illustrator Kyle Lambert, acclaimed author Stephen Graham Jones, and the incredible screenwriter Akela Cooper. This multidisciplinary ensemble, all contributing from day one, is precisely what makes Stone Kite's transmedia approach so compelling. It's a gathering of true world-builders, not just adapters.

The Promise and Potential of Transmedia

The move towards transmedia is a fascinating one for the industry. On one hand, it holds immense promise for creating deeply integrated, rich story worlds that can genuinely evolve across different formats, offering fans multiple entry points and perspectives. The fact that the initial One Zero One comic series will be free online in early 2027 is a huge positive, inviting a broad audience to engage with the world Stone Kite is building. This strategy demonstrates a clear understanding of building a community around a new IP.

On the other hand, crafting a coherent, compelling narrative across so many disciplines is a monumental challenge. It requires extraordinary coordination, vision, and a shared passion that transcends individual creative egos. However, with Jones's proven track record of creating deeply engaging lore and Stohl's expertise in multi-platform storytelling, Stone Kite seems uniquely positioned to tackle this challenge head-on. This isn't just about making stories; it's about building entire living, breathing universes. For gamers who’ve fallen in love with the intricate lore of Halo and Destiny, the idea of a new universe conceived this way is incredibly exciting.

Final Thoughts: A New Frontier

Stone Kite represents a bold new frontier in interactive and narrative entertainment. The combined vision of Jason Jones and Margaret Stohl, backed by an army of diverse creative talent, could genuinely redefine what we expect from a franchise. While One Zero One might start as a comic, the foundation being laid is for something far grander. Keep an eye on Stone Kite, because if anyone can successfully weave an epic tale across every medium imaginable, it’s these masters of universe-building. The future of integrated storytelling just got a whole lot more interesting.

FAQ

Q: Who are the key figures behind Stone Kite? A: Stone Kite was launched by Bungie co-founder Jason Jones, known for co-creating Halo and Destiny, and Margaret Stohl, the narrative director for Destiny 2 and author of the Beautiful Creatures series. Stohl serves as the CEO.

Q: What is Stone Kite's core philosophy for creating stories? A: Stone Kite aims to break down traditional media silos. Instead of adapting a story from one medium to another, they bring global creators from various disciplines (comics, games, film, etc.) together from day one to collaboratively shape a new world.

Q: What is One Zero One, Stone Kite's first IP, and how will it be released? A: One Zero One is Stone Kite's debut intellectual property, adapted from an original manuscript by Jason Jones. It centers on a global conflict between humanity and rogue AI-driven robotic soldiers. It will initially launch as a four-part comic book series, with new issues available online for free starting in early 2027, followed by additional media projects.