Paramount Games Studio and Warner Bros. Games are set to join forces as a single gaming and experiences unit within Skydance, with leadership entrusted to Tony Driscoll, the current president of Paramount Games Studio. The move follows Paramount’s completion of a massive $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros.
Discovery (WBD), a transaction that officially brings both legacy companies under the Skydance umbrella. While the original acquisition announcement focused on the broader media and entertainment assets, it did not specifically mention the video‑game divisions.
A memo obtained by Variety, however, reveals that Skydance President Andy Gordon has confirmed that the games and experiences teams from both Paramount and WBD will be merged. The combined entity will oversee the development of titles and interactive experiences that draw on the rich intellectual property (IP) portfolios of both companies.
Driscoll, who currently serves as president of Paramount Games Studio, will take on an expanded role that includes oversight of the entire games and experiences division, as well as responsibility for corporate strategy and development across Skydance. In his own words, Gordon emphasized the strategic importance of this integration: "We’re investing in our future growth engines alongside our core ambitions in TV, film and direct‑to‑consumer: games, experiences, consumer products, and publishing. These are core pillars of our strategy to build engagement and fandom in both the physical and digital worlds." Gordon added that the newly formed unit will aim to meet audiences wherever they consume content—whether they are watching a series, playing a game, or interacting with a brand online.
He highlighted the opportunity to leverage DC Comics storytelling and to broaden e‑commerce initiatives that connect fans with the characters and franchises they love. Paramount Games Studio, launched only this past summer, was originally led by Executive Vice President and Head of Games Dan Prigg. The studio’s mandate was to fuse Paramount’s extensive catalog of film and television IP with the interactive capabilities of Skydance Interactive and Skydance New Media. In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Prigg explained that before the merger, Paramount’s gaming activities were limited to licensing deals.
"They weren’t doing any internal development. They weren’t really doing much in terms of co‑development and publishing," he said. "Skydance had a couple of studios, and we had licensing on our own." The rationale behind the consolidation, according to senior leadership, is to create a single, cohesive division that can better manage the slate of upcoming titles, protect and nurture the brands, and foster vibrant player communities. By bringing the two sizable gaming portfolios together, Skydance hopes to achieve economies of scale, streamline decision‑making, and accelerate the delivery of high‑quality interactive experiences.
As part of the restructuring, several key appointments have been announced. Josh Silverman has been named president of global products and publishing, tasked with overseeing the commercial side of the new gaming operation. Jim Sterner will continue in his role as chief people officer, ensuring that talent management and cultural integration remain a priority. Jose Turkienicz will retain his position as president of global operations, providing continuity for day‑to‑day business functions.
Skydance CEO David Ellison, who initially outlined the merger’s strategic intent, warned that the integration would involve "difficult decisions" and inevitable changes. "Bringing together two companies of this size and complexity will require difficult decisions.
There will be changes, and there will be impacts. I’m not going to pretend otherwise," Ellison said. He reassured stakeholders that the company would handle these decisions swiftly and thoughtfully, maintaining clear communication throughout the process.
"What I can promise you is that we will move through those decisions as quickly and thoughtfully as we can. We will communicate directly. We will tell you what we know when we know it.
And we will not allow a prolonged integration process to distract us from the reason we brought these companies together in the first place: which is to build the next‑generation media and entertainment company." The merger signals a broader industry trend where traditional media conglomerates are seeking to deepen their foothold in interactive entertainment. By uniting Paramount’s cinematic storytelling expertise with Warner Bros.’ legacy gaming franchises and Skydance’s innovative interactive technologies, the new unit is positioned to develop cross‑platform experiences that blend film, television, and gaming in novel ways.
Analysts anticipate that the combined resources will enable more ambitious projects, such as narrative‑driven open‑world games, immersive virtual‑reality experiences, and integrated merchandising strategies that tie directly into blockbuster releases. In practical terms, the integration will likely see existing development studios from both sides reporting to a unified leadership hierarchy, shared pipelines for asset creation, and coordinated marketing campaigns that leverage the full spectrum of Skydance’s media assets. The move also opens the door for co‑development opportunities with external partners, as the enlarged portfolio can offer a more attractive slate of IPs for collaboration.
Overall, the creation of a single Skydance‑backed gaming and experiences division under Tony Driscoll’s stewardship marks a significant step toward consolidating media, entertainment, and interactive content under one strategic vision. The company aims to harness the strengths of each legacy brand, deliver richer fan experiences, and position itself as a major player in the evolving landscape of digital entertainment.