Bungie/MS Rumors Somewhat True

[Queasy]

Press Release

Microsoft and Bungie Studios to Evolve Relationship
Companies to forge new long-term relationship.

REDMOND, Wash. ? Oct. 5, 2007 ? Microsoft Corp. today announced a plan for Bungie Studios, the developers of the ?Halo®? franchise, to embark on a path to become an independent company. Microsoft will retain an equity interest in Bungie, at the same time continuing its long-standing publishing agreement between Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie for the Microsoft-owned ?Halo? intellectual property as well as other future properties developed by Bungie.

The critically acclaimed Xbox 360®-exclusive ?Halo 3? achieved $300 million in global sales in its first week. Released on Tuesday, Sept. 25, ?Halo 3? is the fastest-selling video game ever and already one of the most successful entertainment properties in history.

?Our collaboration with Bungie has resulted in ?Halo? becoming an enduring mainstream hit,? said Shane Kim, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios. ?While we are supporting Bungie?s desire to return to its independent roots, we will continue to invest in our ?Halo? entertainment property with Bungie and other partners, such as Peter Jackson, on a new interactive series set in the ?Halo? universe. We look forward to great success with Bungie as our long-term relationship continues to evolve through ?Halo?-related titles and new IP created by Bungie.?

?This exciting evolution of our relationship with Microsoft will enable us to expand both creatively and organizationally in our mission to create world-class games,? said Harold Ryan, studio head for Bungie. ?We will continue to develop with our primary focus on Microsoft® platforms; we greatly value our mutually prosperous relationship with our publisher, Microsoft Game Studios; and we look forward to continuing that affiliation through ?Halo? and beyond.?

Bungie Studios will remain in its current location in Kirkland, Wash.

So, Bungie basically moves to a 2nd party developer now.

 

[Modeps]

I thought I remember them already having some agreement that they could develop for Handhelds already... but maybe I 'm thinking of someone else.

 

[Queasy]

Bungie

Bungie Branches Off

As you have no doubt read on the web today, Microsoft Corp. and Bungie Studios, have reached an unprecedented and exciting agreement ? starting immediately, Bungie will become an independent company and will retain a long-term publishing agreement with Microsoft Game Studios for ?Halo? titles. The new structure became effective on Oct. 1, 2007. The official blurb follows, but since you?re a valuable part of our community, we thought we?d sum it up simply and concisely.

Bungie has long been built on creativity, originality and the freedom to pursue ideas. Microsoft agreed, and rather than stifle our imagination, they decided it was in both our best interests to unleash it. We?ll continue to make Xbox 360 games, and we?ll continue to make amazing games for MGS. In that regard, nothing has changed. All that has changed is that now Bungie Studios is once again, the property of the folks of Bungie Studios. Microsoft is and will continue to be, a brilliant, inventive and creatively collaborative publishing partner. Practically speaking, nothing has changed and you guys won?t see much, if any difference, for a while unless you come to work for us, that is ? we?re hiring at http://www.bungie.net/inside/jobs.aspx

 

[tatteredpotato]

I think this could actually be better for Xbox owners. Basically Bungie just gets to call their own shots now but the games should still end up on the Xbox or Windows (unless MS declines). So MS can wait until Bungie agrees to make Halo 4, or they can give the job to someone else (lets hope for the former).

 

[herkulease]

Originally posted by: Queasy
Bungie

Bungie Branches Off

As you have no doubt read on the web today, Microsoft Corp. and Bungie Studios, have reached an unprecedented and exciting agreement ? starting immediately, Bungie will become an independent company and will retain a long-term publishing agreement with Microsoft Game Studios for ?Halo? titles. The new structure became effective on Oct. 1, 2007. The official blurb follows, but since you?re a valuable part of our community, we thought we?d sum it up simply and concisely.

Bungie has long been built on creativity, originality and the freedom to pursue ideas. Microsoft agreed, and rather than stifle our imagination, they decided it was in both our best interests to unleash it. We?ll continue to make Xbox 360 games, and we?ll continue to make amazing games for MGS. In that regard, nothing has changed. All that has changed is that now Bungie Studios is once again, the property of the folks of Bungie Studios. Microsoft is and will continue to be, a brilliant, inventive and creatively collaborative publishing partner. Practically speaking, nothing has changed and you guys won?t see much, if any difference, for a while unless you come to work for us, that is ? we?re hiring at http://www.bungie.net/inside/jobs.aspx

from how Bungie worded it seems there were more or less spun off. I guess its a good move by microsoft. Rather than refuse and see Bungie team members just go their seperate ways and have nothing but a shell of a former company. I'm sure now, Bungie will be able to get a much larger cut should they make halo 4.

 

[randay]

what games have bungie made, im not familiar with thier history. besides halo I mean.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: randay
what games have bungie made, im not familiar with thier history. besides halo I mean.

Bungie's most famous games after Halo are Marathon and Myth. They also made Oni and something called Minotaur.

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: randay
what games have bungie made, im not familiar with thier history. besides halo I mean.

Bungie's most famous games after Halo are Marathon and Myth. They also made Oni and something called Minotaur.

Myth and Myth II were so damn awesome...I really hope they come out with a 3rd one. It is one of the few RTS's that I think could actually work really well on a console.

 

[Piuc2020]

Marathon was a great game as well, Halo recycles tons of elements from those games.

 

[Aikouka]

Let's just hope that they can make a game like Oni, but... please... for the love of baby Jesus, give it a better story. The story was worse than Halo 2.

 

[lupi]

I wonder if this means Halo wars will still be so 360 exclusive as they were saying before.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

Originally posted by: lupi
I wonder if this means Halo wars will still be so 360 exclusive as they were saying before.

It isn't being made by bungie.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g

Originally posted by: lupi
I wonder if this means Halo wars will still be so 360 exclusive as they were saying before.

It isn't being made by bungie.

Yep. It is being made by Ensemble Studios. MS also owns the rights to Halo so you'll never see it off the Xbox/PC platform.

 

[lupi]

Oh damn, there goes that conspiracy 😉

MS also owns the rights to Halo so you'll never see it off the Xbox/PC platform.

I have no problem with it on the PC 😀