Jason Jones, one of the original architects behind both the Halo and Destiny franchises, has joined forces with Margaret Stolk—renowned narrative director for Destiny 2 and co‑founder of the former 7 Studios—to announce a brand‑new transmedia studio named Stone Kite. The partnership brings together two veterans whose careers have spanned video games, literature, and film, and it signals a bold experiment in how stories can be conceived, built, and delivered across multiple platforms. Stolk’s résumé reads like a cross‑genre résumé: after shaping the narrative tone of Destiny 2, she co‑founded 7 Studios alongside Lewis Paterson, a venture that was later absorbed by Activision.
In addition to her game‑writing credentials, Stolk is the author of the bestselling "Beautiful Creatures" series, demonstrating a fluency in both interactive and traditional storytelling. As the chief executive officer of Stone Kite, she will steer the studio’s overarching vision while continuing to write and oversee its creative output.
Stone Kite brands itself as a "world‑building studio" based in Los Angeles, and its inaugural intellectual property, titled One Zero One, will serve as the flagship project for the fledgling company. One Zero One originates from an original manuscript penned by Jones, and it imagines a near‑future scenario in which humanity confronts a global insurgency of autonomous, AI‑driven robotic soldiers. The premise explores themes of technological hubris, the ethics of artificial intelligence, and the resilience of the human spirit when faced with an enemy that can think, adapt, and replicate without fatigue. The first incarnation of One Zero One will be released as a four‑part comic‑book series.
The creators have chosen to make the initial issues freely available online starting in early 2027, a strategic move intended to attract a broad audience and generate buzz before the story expands into additional formats. Subsequent phases are already slated, including a novel adaptation, an animated series, and potentially an interactive game that will allow fans to experience the conflict from multiple perspectives. The studio’s leadership team is a blend of seasoned media executives and creative specialists. Former senior vice president of media Stephen Wacker brings decades of experience in film and television production, while president Lewis Peterson (formerly of 7 Studios) provides operational oversight.
Matt Johnson, serving as the studio’s film and TV vice president, will supervise adaptations for the screen, and narrative creative director Jeanine Schaefer will ensure that the storytelling remains cohesive across all mediums. Stone Kite’s collaborative model is one of its most distinctive features. The studio has already enlisted over 250 creators from across the entertainment spectrum, ranging from award‑winning directors to comic‑book artists and novelists.
Notable collaborators include Academy‑award‑winning director and producer Jay Roach, comic writer‑artist Christian Ward, illustrator Kyle Lambert—known for his work on high‑profile sci‑fi projects—author Stephen Graham Jones, and screenwriter Akela Cooper, whose résumé includes horror‑driven television dramas. This extensive network is designed to break down the traditional silos that separate film, television, literature, and gaming, allowing ideas to be cross‑pollinated from the very inception of a project. "Throughout my career I’ve moved fluidly between books, games, comics, film, and television," Stolk explained.
"I’ve observed how the medium that first tells a story often dictates the shape of everything that follows. Stone Kite is about dismantling those old media boundaries.
Instead of beginning in one format and retrofitting the narrative for others, we bring the world’s best creators from disparate disciplines into the same room from day one, letting them co‑create the world together." Jones added a personal anecdote that underscores the partnership’s emotional core. "When I was younger, I would bike fifteen miles along Lake Michigan to the used‑bookstores in North Chicago, loading my backpack with sci‑fi paperbacks. Margaret was the first person who believed I could write my own book, the first to read my early drafts, and the one I trusted to help transform my ideas into epic entertainment that makes the world a better place," he said.
The launch of Stone Kite arrives at a time when audiences are increasingly demanding immersive, multi‑platform experiences. By anchoring One Zero One in a comic series that will later blossom into novels, TV episodes, and possibly a video game, the studio hopes to create a living, breathing universe that can be explored from countless angles. This approach not only maximizes the commercial potential of the IP but also offers fans a richer, more interactive way to engage with the narrative.
In summary, Stone Kite represents a convergence of veteran talent, ambitious storytelling, and a collaborative infrastructure designed to blur the lines between media. With a strong leadership team, a deep bench of creative partners, and a compelling first project that tackles timely questions about AI and humanity, the studio is poised to make a significant impact on the transmedia landscape.
The upcoming free release of One Zero One’s comic issues in 2027 will be the first step in what promises to be a long‑term, multi‑dimensional journey for both creators and audiences alike.