Jason Jones, the visionary who helped bring both Halo and Destiny to life, has joined forces with Margaret Stohl, the narrative architect behind Destiny 2, to launch a fresh transmedia enterprise named Stone Kite. The partnership merges two decades of experience in interactive storytelling, world‑building, and cross‑platform narrative design, aiming to create immersive properties that flow seamlessly across books, comics, film, television, and games. Stone Kite positions itself as a "world‑building studio" based in Los Angeles, dedicated to developing original intellectual property that can be explored through multiple media channels from the outset.
Its inaugural project, titled **One Zero One**, originates from a manuscript penned by Jones himself. The story envisions a global showdown between humanity and an insurgent legion of autonomous, AI‑driven robotic soldiers. Rather than releasing a single novel or a standalone game, the creators have chosen to debut the saga as a four‑issue comic series, with each installment slated for free digital distribution in early 2027. The comic launch will serve as the gateway to a broader narrative ecosystem that will later incorporate novels, animated series, live‑action adaptations, and interactive experiences.
Both founders bring complementary skill sets to the table. Jones co‑created two of the most influential franchises in modern gaming, shaping the lore and design language of Halo and Destiny. His background blends technical game development with high‑concept storytelling, giving him a unique perspective on how to translate interactive worlds into other formats.
Stohl, meanwhile, has a rich portfolio that spans video‑game narrative direction, comic writing, and bestselling novel series such as *Beautiful Creatures*. She also co‑founded 7 Studios with Lewis Paterson, a venture later absorbed by Activision, and now serves as Stone Kite’s chief executive officer.
The studio’s leadership roster reads like a cross‑section of the entertainment industry’s most seasoned veterans. Former senior vice president of media Stephen Wacker provides strategic oversight, while president Lewis Peterson (not to be confused with the co‑founder of 7 Studios) handles day‑to‑day operations.
Film and television initiatives are guided by vice president Matt Johnson, and narrative cohesion across all platforms is ensured by creative director Jeanine Schaefer. Together, they have assembled a network of more than 250 creators—including acclaimed director and producer Jay Roach, comic‑book writer‑artist Christian Ward, illustrator Kyle Lambert, author Stephen Graham Jones, and screenwriter Akela Cooper—to collaborate on the Stone Kite slate. Stohl articulates the studio’s philosophy with clarity: "Throughout my career I've moved between books, games, comics, film, and television, and I've repeatedly seen the first medium chosen to tell a story dictate the direction of everything that follows.
Stone Kite is about tearing down those old silos. 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 collaborative model is designed to prevent the bottleneck effect that often limits a property's growth when it is forced to conform to the constraints of its original format.
Jones adds a personal note, recalling his youthful habit of cycling fifteen miles along Lake Michigan to scour used bookstores in North Chicago, returning home with a backpack brimming with sci‑fi paperbacks. He credits Stohl as the first person who believed in his ability to author a book, the first to read his manuscript, and the trusted partner who helped him expand the concept into a multi‑dimensional entertainment property intended to leave a positive imprint on the world. The launch of Stone Kite signals a broader industry shift toward integrated storytelling, where franchises are conceived as ecosystems rather than linear products. By leveraging the combined expertise of game designers, novelists, comic artists, and film producers, the studio aims to deliver a richer, more cohesive experience to audiences worldwide.
As One Zero One rolls out its free digital comics in 2027, fans can anticipate a cascade of related content—novels that delve deeper into the origins of the AI army, animated shorts that visualize key battles, and perhaps even an interactive game that lets players influence the outcome of the global conflict. Stone Kite’s ambitious, cross‑platform approach may well set a new standard for how stories are built, shared, and experienced in the digital age.