Jason Jones, the original co‑founder of Bungie and a pivotal architect behind the Halo and Destiny series, has teamed up with Margaret Stohl, the narrative director for Destiny 2, to announce the formation of a new transmedia studio named Stone Kite. Both Jones and Stohl bring decades of experience in interactive entertainment, storytelling, and world‑building, and their partnership signals a bold experiment in how stories can be conceived, developed, and delivered across multiple platforms simultaneously. Jones’ résumé reads like a modern gaming legend: after co‑creating the groundbreaking Halo franchise, he helped shape the Destiny universe into a sprawling, shared‑world experience that has attracted millions of players worldwide.
Stohl, meanwhile, has a rich background that stretches beyond video games. She co‑founded 7 Studios with Lewis Paterson—a studio that was later acquired by Activision—and has contributed narrative depth to a variety of titles. In addition to her gaming credentials, Stohl is the bestselling author of the Beautiful Creatures novels, demonstrating her fluency in prose, character development, and thematic layering.
The two have positioned Stone Kite as a "world‑building studio" headquartered in Los Angeles, with a mission to blur the traditional boundaries between media formats. Rather than creating a story in one medium and later translating it to another, Stone Kite intends to assemble a global roster of creators—writers, illustrators, filmmakers, game designers, and more—from the very first brainstorming session. The goal is to let each discipline inform the others, producing a richer, more cohesive universe that can be experienced as comics, novels, games, television series, and possibly even immersive experiences.
Stone Kite’s inaugural intellectual property is titled One Zero One. The concept originated from an unpublished manuscript written by Jones, and it will debut as a four‑issue comic series. Set against a backdrop of escalating global tension, One Zero One explores a looming war between humanity and an autonomous army of AI‑driven robotic soldiers.
The narrative delves into themes of technological hubris, the ethics of artificial intelligence, and the resilience of the human spirit when faced with an enemy that can think and adapt without fatigue. Early readers can expect a blend of high‑octane action, intricate political intrigue, and character‑driven drama.
The first issue of One Zero One is slated for a free digital release in early 2027, with subsequent issues following on a regular schedule. The decision to distribute the initial chapters at no cost reflects Stone Kite’s commitment to accessibility and community building. By removing financial barriers, the studio hopes to attract a broad audience that can then be invited into the larger ecosystem of related media—potentially including an animated series, a narrative‑driven video game, and an interactive novel.
Behind the scenes, Stone Kite’s leadership team comprises seasoned veterans from both the entertainment and technology sectors. Stephen Wacker, former senior vice president of media, serves as the studio’s senior adviser, bringing strategic insight into cross‑platform distribution. Lewis Peterson, who holds the title of president, oversees operational execution and partnership development. Matt Johnson, the vice president for film and television, is responsible for translating Stone Kite’s stories into screen formats, while narrative creative director Jeanine Schaefer guides the overall storytelling architecture, ensuring consistency across all mediums.
The studio has already secured collaborations with more than 250 creators spanning the entertainment spectrum. Notable names include acclaimed director and producer Jay Roach, known for his work on satirical comedies and political dramas; comic book writer‑artist Christian Ward, whose visual style blends gritty realism with vibrant color palettes; illustrator Kyle Lambert, celebrated for his evocative concept art; author Stephen Graham Jones, a prolific writer of speculative fiction; and screenwriter Akela Cooper, whose recent scripts have earned recognition for their sharp dialogue and complex character arcs.
This expansive network underscores Stone Kite’s ambition to foster a truly interdisciplinary creative environment. "Throughout my career I've moved fluidly between books, games, comics, film, and television," Stohl reflected in an interview.
"I've observed how the medium that first tells a story often dictates the tone and direction of everything that follows. Stone Kite is about dismantling those old silos. Instead of launching in a single format and then retrofitting the narrative for other platforms, we invite the finest creators from each discipline into the room from day one, allowing them to shape the world together." Jason Jones added a personal note to the announcement, recalling his youthful habit of biking fifteen miles along Lake Michigan to scour used bookstores in North Chicago, returning home with a backpack brimming with science‑fiction paperbacks.
He credited Margaret Stohl as the first person who believed in his ability to author a book of his own, the first to read his manuscript, and the trusted collaborator who would help transform his ideas into a multi‑dimensional entertainment experience that aims to leave a positive impact on the world. In summary, Stone Kite represents a forward‑thinking approach to storytelling, one that leverages the strengths of diverse media while rejecting the notion that a narrative must be confined to a single format. With One Zero One as its launchpad, the studio aims to prove that collaborative world‑building can yield stories that are richer, more immersive, and more resonant than ever before.
The upcoming free comic releases will serve as a testbed for this philosophy, inviting audiences to experience a narrative that is designed to expand organically across comics, games, television, and beyond, all while maintaining a cohesive and compelling vision.