Bungie Leaving Microsoft?

[Thrashdragon]

From Kotaku:

Those rumors surrounding a Bungie departure from Microsoft sure sound fishy, so we got in touch with some folks who might know a thing or two about it. We were hoping for either a "Yes, it's true. You'll find the details of the settlement in the attached PDF" or "Of course it's not true. Don't be ridiculous." Instead we got a double barrel blast of non-confirmation.

The response from a Bungie source? "Talk to your Edelman rep."

The response from Edelman, Microsoft's PR firm? "There's been no such announcement. We continue to celebrate the tremendous success of the global phenomenon that is Halo 3."

In the meantime, we continue to get e-mails with friend of a friend sourced factoids and ones with none too subtle hints on the matter. We're drowning in the winking emoticons!

As I wrote earlier, it sounds suspect?hence the rumor tag?but with the closing of FASA Studio, the developer behind Shadowrun, and the acquisition of Project Gotham Racing developer Bizarre Creations by Activision, yet another ripple in the Microsoft Game Studios pool of insanity wouldn't forcibly knock our socks off at this point.

Maybe they're sick of making Halo games and want to try something different.

[Premonition]

hese predictions seemed far-fetched. After all, Microsoft owns Bungie. So how could the team behind ?Halo? really leave, without leaving Bungie all together?

I reached out to MS for comment. Is there a split or bunch of Bungie departures coming? A Microsoft spokesperson replied: ?There?s been no such announcement. We continue to celebrate the tremendous success of the global phenomenon that is ?Halo 3.??

Uh, so are we all clear now?

http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2007/10/01/microsoft-on-todays-msbungie-split-rumor/

[Thrashdragon]

The key thing here is that neither side is denying it, just saying that no announcement has been made. Microsoft could allow the Bungie team to leave to pursue other products and take the name with them, while MS would (if they have any brains) retain all rights to the Halo franchise.

Then again, since the Halo series is supposedly finished, maybe Microsoft is just going to fire them all.

[Premonition]

I would guess they want a raise and a pretty big one after how much money h3 is raking in. I know if i was them i would. But microsoft invested a lot of money in to promoting halo as well. Its not just a 1 side thing. Like gears of war. Mircosoft went all out to make sure it was a huge hit and the game delivered on the hype.
I doubt microsoft will sell halo or bungie (this however doesn't mean the devs can quite). I mean microsoft selling halo would be like nintendo selling mario.

Devs come and go though from every company. But im sure at the heart of this rumor there is money involved. The devs probably want a bonus or a raise for the next title. Maybe activision is trying to steal some of them much like Ea gobbles up devs like its a all you can eat buffet.

[Thrashdragon]

Could be, Activision is the new EA. They're so bad they've actually got me rooting for EA...how screwed up is that?

[Premonition]

I know its getting bad. Im sure people are trying to buy epic out as well. But with the money they make off lending out the u3 engine they probably dont need to.

I hope peter moore can turn the ea games division around. they have been slack the last 2 years or so. But activision looks like the bought the how to run a game company book from EA and are following in their footsteps.

[Premonition]

Our source stated that Bungie is ?tired of Making Halo, and didn?t want to do future Halo games.? For an unstated, but significant amount of money, Bungie shareholders bought the studio name back from Microsoft. Our source also revealed that even though Microsoft will retain the rights to Halo, Microsoft also has ?the right of first refusal on future games.? This means that Microsoft has the first shot at publishing Bungie?s future titles. How this will come into play if Bungie decides they want future game X to appear on the PlayStation 3 and Wii alongside an Xbox 360 release will make things quite interesting.
http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/14693/Rumor-Bungie-Is-Leaving-Microsoft/

wow looks like microsoft did sell bungie off but kept halo :shock:
That must of been 1 huge payday. Either Ea or Activision has to be behind it.
Looks like oct 12th we will find out what is going on. Now wtach microsoft go after epic to make the next halo
:D

[Thrashdragon]

Microsoft could allow the Bungie team to leave to pursue other products and take the name with them, while MS would (if they have any brains) retain all rights to the Halo franchise.

Woot, look at me bein' all psychic. :D

[LIMEY]

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/071005/microsoft_bungie.html?.v=2

Halo Developer Separates From Microsoft
Friday October 5, 11:23 am ET
Microsoft to Retain Equity Stake in 'Halo' Developer Bungie Studios

REDMOND, Wash. (AP) -- Software company Microsoft Corp. said Friday that Bungie Studios, developer of its blockbuster "Halo" video game franchise, plans to become an independent company.

Microsoft will retain an equity stake in Bungie and continue its publishing agreement between Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie for "Halo" intellectual property and other future properties developed by Bungie.

"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," said Shane Kim, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios, in a statement.

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

Microsoft released "Halo 3" for the Xbox 360 on Sept. 25, with the video game taking in $300 million in global sales in just the first week.

Microsoft shares rose 15 cents to $29.86 in morning trading.

[WalkinTarget]

Maybe Microsoft will let their internal game devs develop Halo 4 ???
:D

[darth_nevus]

Maybe Microsoft will let their internal game devs develop Halo 4 ???
:D

if that happens, it will be Halo Vista....

[FieryDragon]

well with the halo 0 book coming out, i think that they might make a game on that book. i read it in my xbox magazine. check it out if you have one.