Skydance owns Warner Bros Games in silence
When Paramount officially closed its massive 111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, the headlines focused on studios, content libraries, and media empires. Yet, amidst the usual corporate fanfare, a critical piece of the puzzle—the vast world of video games—was conspicuously absent. This silence, however, only heightened the speculation about what the combined entity, now known as Skydance, might unlock next.
While the deal was framed purely in terms of creative freedom and global scale, the underlying assets included a treasure trove of gaming intellectual property. This is especially true given the leadership behind the merger, CEO David Ellison, who is himself a devoted gamer. Some observers wonder if his personal passion will translate into a radical shift for the gaming division within the new conglomerate.
Ellison’s background is anything but typical corporate. As the son of billionaire founder Larry Ellison, his personal story intertwines with some complex political dynamics, leading to speculation that these connections may have smoothed the path for the deal. Meanwhile, other major players, like Netflix, navigated the bidding war, often with video games being a secondary consideration in their initial attempts to acquire the media giant.
Despite the initial silence from the top brass, the reality of Skydance’s portfolio is far richer than the press release suggested. When the company announced the deal, it emphasized a forward-looking strategy focused on “creative-first, audience-focused, tech-forward, and globally scaled” operations. But when looking deeper, the scope of their assets reveals a dedicated commitment to gaming.
Skydance’s leadership, including CEO Ynon Kreiz, confirmed that games are central to their future strategy. Kreiz spoke about the immense opportunities to develop new businesses, products, and experiences, positioning the gaming division not as an afterthought, but as a core engine for fan engagement wherever consumers are going.
The true impact of this merger lies in the sheer breadth of gaming ownership Skydance has inherited. The company has absorbed numerous major studios and properties, effectively becoming a powerhouse across the industry. This includes ownership of developer Avalanche Software (creators of Hogwarts Legacy), publishing label Portkey Games, the acclaimed titles of Mortal Kombat (developer NetherRealm), and the legendary Batman: Arkham studio Rocksteady.
Furthermore, Skydance now controls key developmental teams, including the Lego developer TT Games, alongside numerous WB Games studios across Boston, Montreal, New York, and San Francisco. This acquisition grants Skydance an unparalleled foothold in game development and publishing.
Beyond inheriting these massive franchises, Skydance is actively building new content. The company is also spearheading major projects, including a new Star Wars game in collaboration with Lucasfilm and the development of the highly anticipated Call of Duty movie with Activision, set for release in 2028. It’s clear that the future of entertainment is being forged by combining cinematic storytelling with interactive worlds.
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