OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE: Bungie sorta leaving Microsoft

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/oct07/10-05BungieEvolvesPR.mspx

Bascially, Bungie is now independent but Microsoft has rights to Halo and future Bungie projects.

These have been Bungie's projects

• Marathon
• Myth
• Halo

• Gnop!
• Operation Desert Storm
• Minotaur: The Labyrinths of Crete
• Pathways Into Darkness (sometimes considered part of the Marathon series)
• the Macintosh port of Abuse
• Weekend Warrior (as publisher)
• Oni
• Phoenix (canceled)

• Pimps at Sea

So the only popular games they have made are HALO and one can dare say Myth... other than that they don't have much going on for them. Since this is the last HALO (except for HALO Wars which is beeing made in part by another developer), the company isn't that important anymore. Yes, they made the top charts on selling records, but they don't have a clear future right at this moment.

Bottom line is, it really doesn't matter they left MS, cause there just isn't anything worth looking forward to.

Not really big news since Bungie will still make Halo based games games exclusively for the 360 plus orignal IP. But now on some orginal games the could appear on the ps3, wii, etc ontop of the 360.

I guess I'm a little bit confused. So bungie is leaving, and Microsoft owns Halo. Check. But did it also say that Microsoft retains the right to publish Bungie's games? Because as I read it, it doesn't sound like a clean break from Microsoft. To me it looks like Bungie will be able to go on and make whatever game they want without Microsoft breathing down their neck, but in the end Microsoft still owns Bungie, and makes money off the studio.

Wow, I'm really surprised most here don't find this a big blow to MS. Well maybe they do, but don't want to admit it. Bottom line is that if Bungie wants to be an indepent again it's because they want options to do stuff on all the systems. Otherwise there's really no reason that they wouldn't have just restructured there upper management and how they report to the parent company that was MS.

All console developers need that inner studio brand that produces exclusive games for there systems. MS's has been Bungie, honestly now who exactly is there insided studio that is there ace in the hole?

Wow, I'm really surprised most here don't find this a big blow to MS. Well maybe they do, but don't want to admit it. Bottom line is that if Bungie wants to be an indepent again it's because they want options to do stuff on all the systems. Otherwise there's really no reason that they wouldn't have just restructured there upper management and how they report to the parent company that was MS.

All console developers need that inner studio brand that produces exclusive games for there systems. MS's has been Bungie, honestly now who exactly is there insided studio that is there ace in the hole?

rgsniper1

Some people might be willing to admit this is a blow to Microsoft in some way, but I don't think the consensus is in relation to admitting anything, but rather caring about it.

There are still Halo games and Bungie games on the 360 and beyond and that's all that should matter for gamers. It's hard to be sympathetic when something slightly negative happens to the richest company in the world. Especially when they make $170 million in 24 hours.

I hear what you're saying though.

Look at all the halo each game has been rushed more so halo 2 and 3. Each game seems to be missing something. I think Bungie splitting off is so they can make the games how they want (add more gore blood etc.). I mean look at Valve, Half-life 2 has such a great story and gameplay that's because they didn't have a giant behind them telling them to hurry up and finish the game. If bungie had much more time to work and not have to stare at a countdown clock while getting stressed about the release date, their games will be phenominal... k i'm done :Pwayofthestee

this is just a business decision, now itll make sure that bungie gets a bigger cut of the profit from the games they make.

it has nothing to do with, "ZOMG!!! halo4 on ps3!!!", because MS still owns publishing rights to bungie titles. so yeah.

I guess I'm a little bit confused. So bungie is leaving, and Microsoft owns Halo. Check. But did it also say that Microsoft retains the right to publish Bungie's games? Because as I read it, it doesn't sound like a clean break from Microsoft. To me it looks like Bungie will be able to go on and make whatever game they want without Microsoft breathing down their neck, but in the end Microsoft still owns Bungie, and makes money off the studio.

Seefizzle

Precisely, MS is still a minority owner. So even if they develop on PS3 or Wii, Microsoft will still be benefiting from it.

[QUOTE="wayofthestee"]Look at all the halo each game has been rushed more so halo 2 and 3. Each game seems to be missing something. I think Bungie splitting off is so they can make the games how they want (add more gore blood etc.). I mean look at Valve, Half-life 2 has such a great story and gameplay that's because they didn't have a giant behind them telling them to hurry up and finish the game. If bungie had much more time to work and not have to stare at a countdown clock while getting stressed about the release date, their games will be phenominal... k i'm done :Pmsjr78