FTC Opens Inquiry Into Sony’s $3.6 Billion Bungie Gaming Purchase

The Federal Trade Commission has opened an in-depth investigation of Sony’s proposed $3.6 billion takeover of Bungie, the gaming studio behind Destiny and Halo, according to people familiar with the matter. While the FTC may not be able to block the deal, its decision to review it is the latest example of how aggressive the agency is becoming in reviewing mergers.

The Bungie deal was announced at the end of January, and was part of a broader consolidation underway in the gaming industry. Two weeks earlier Microsoft had announced its blockbuster $69 billion billion purchase of Activision Blizzard. The FTC is also reviewing that transaction.