Bungie co-founder Jason Jones, instrumental in the creation of Halo and the direction of Destiny, has established a new Los Angeles-based studio named Stone Kite. He is collaborating with author Margaret Stohl, known for the 'Beautiful Creatures' series and her work on Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate. Stone Kite aims to develop stories across multiple mediums, with its inaugural project, 'One Zero One,' set in a future where humanity confronts rogue AI robotic soldiers.
The studio's approach prioritizes a collaborative, multidisciplinary creative process from the outset, rather than adapting content from one medium to another. "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," Stohl explained. "We build communities, and we listen to them. That's how we're creating worlds that people can explore for decades, in whatever ways they want."
'One Zero One' launches with a four-part limited comic series, the first issue of which is now available. This comic includes exclusive excerpts from Jones's manuscript. Subsequent issues are scheduled for release through early 2027, with plans to expand the universe through prose, audio, and screen projects. Jones expressed his long-held ambition to write, stating, "I've spent my whole life making games, but I've always wanted to write." He credited Stohl as being the first to believe in his writing and to help develop his work into what he hopes will be impactful entertainment.
The 'One Zero One' universe boasts contributions from a range of creative talents, including screenwriter Eric Heisserer ('Arrival,' 'Bird Box'), comic writer and screenwriter Christina Strain ('Shadow and Bone'), and character designer Kris Anka ('Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse'). The project also features artists such as Dan Panosian, Ramón Pérez, Alitha Martinez, Raúl Allén, and Hyeonjin Kim.
Stone Kite's multimedia strategy is ambitious, drawing parallels to previous attempts in the gaming industry, such as Reflector Entertainment's plans for its 'Unknown 9' universe. However, those plans were significantly impacted after the initial game's performance fell short of expectations. The success of Stone Kite's venture will depend on the execution of its expansive, cross-media narrative vision.