Leadership is everything.
Indeed. I always got the impression that Bungie employees happily worked for Bungie. Not so much for Microsoft.
Holy (UI&#@*(&#!!!
Confirmed in the Bungie Weekly Update! Bungie has split from Microsoft!
http://www.bungie.net/news/content.a...
Holy cow.
Holy (UI&#@*(&#!!!
Confirmed in the Bungie Weekly Update! Bungie has split from Microsoft!
http://www.bungie.net/news/content.a...
Holy cow.
I'm not too hip with the business side of things, but as a "regular" gamer, I think this is a really dumb move from Microsoft.
Doesn't seem too bad. "Keep working with us with the Halo brand, and do more stuff on the side independently". They may have had some sort of agreement before Halo 3 was released.
They may have had some sort of agreement before Halo 3 was released.
I would venture it was in place years before Halo 3 was released.
I take this to mean that Bungie now decides on what Bungie develops, not Microsoft. Sure, it'll come out on 360 and/or GFW, and Bungie might have some say in who works on the next Halo project, but Bungie can work on it's own (non-Halo) projects. Anyone else think this is the case?
I'm not too hip with the business side of things, but as a "regular" gamer, I think this is a really dumb move from Microsoft.
From the sound of it, regular gamers probably won't even notice a change. As many people speculated earlier in the thread, they have essentially become a "second party" developer, with a relationship similar to that which Insomniac has with Sony. While technically they are both independent developers, in practice (and from the point of view of the consumer) they are still producing nothing but exclusive titles for one platform holder, so there is little difference from being a wholly owned first party development house (other than that internally, they will have a bit more say over their creative direction).
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's 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.
That's in line with what I was expecting. Nothing earth shattering here.
I'm not too hip with the business side of things, but as a "regular" gamer, I think this is a really dumb move from Microsoft.
I suspect they didn't have much of a choice. The retention clauses from the buyout are probably up by now, so it was either set us free or the core of Bungie will leave.
That's not to mention that part of the core will likely leave anyway, independence or no independence.
![Pyroman[FO]'s picture](https://www.gamerswithjobs.com/files/pictures/pictures/picture-27.png "Pyroman[FO]'s picture")
I'm not too hip with the business side of things, but as a "regular" gamer, I think this is a really dumb move from Microsoft.From the sound of it, regular gamers probably won't even notice a change. As many people speculated earlier in the thread, they have essentially become a "second party" developer, with a relationship similar to that which Insomniac has with Sony. While technically they are both independent developers, in practice (and from the point of view of the consumer) they are still producing nothing but exclusive titles for one platform holder, so there is little difference from being a wholly owned first party development house (other than that internally, they will have a bit more say over their creative direction).
To me this means no more forcing Halo 2 4 years to late to come out Vista only, things like that. Also new IP from Bungie.
Yes there's several core members that have left Bungie, but I'm hoping this brings them back to a bit of their former glory. From what I understand with Halo 2 (and probably Halo 3 as well), the single player story got screwed up so badly because it was written by committee. Maybe now they can get back some of that early focus.
Before, after playing Halo 3's single player I had pretty much written Bungie off as over and done with. At least now they have a shot of getting back into their former shape.
oops, sorry, didn't see this post. I started another thread. The news is official, Bungie has left Microsoft.
So the people who said they'd fall out of their chair if this happened... did you fall out of your chair? 
Can we use this as an excuse to raise our glasses and toast Bungie tonight during Gears... maybe one shot/glass for each halo release? Cliffy would approve I think.
I did not fall out of my chair, but I think I heard the Master Chief figure fall off my sons shelf in the room next door.
We're halfway to a Master Chief versus Marcus Fenix IP face-off now.
Once I heard the rumour, this is the kind of thing I'd expected.
I'm more interested in the what deal they had to allow this. Was it in place when MS first bought the company, hammered out after Halo 2? That's the really interesting bit.
Seems like strange timing though doesn't it? Why announce the week after "the biggest video game launch in history"? Although I guess it wouldn't really effect sales at all.
I predict looser reins and more creative independence. Probably funding change, but I don't know enough about the format now to make a specific prediction there.
Although I guess it wouldn't really effect sales at all.
300 million sales in the first week. I think they're doing okay. 
(basically the fact that they do appreciate their fans), and how stingie they are with the profits (comparable to the rest of the industry).
Bungie: Microsoft, you may own the HALO IP, but we're making you hojillions of dollars. We want a million bazillion more for us or we're going to start seeing other people.
Microsoft: There's the door.
On one-hand the timing seems strange, but on the other, Bungie probably needs to get cranking on their next project, so I can see why they might make the announcement so soon too.
I'm honestly shocked this happened as the rumour was started by a blog that doesn't have much credibility. I just assumed Microsoft would buy off the key people like Take-Two did with Rockstar but I guess the developers wanted their freedom more than money (and I suppose none of them are hurting for money anyway right now.) From how this reads, it seems as though Microsoft either had to let them go or completely lose their biggest cash cow so they just decided to let Bungie do what they want while maintaining close ties which is what they count on the most. I've never been a huge fan of Bungie games in general but this is a rare event and it's really good to see a talented team break out of corporate clutches rather than get sucked into them.
Interview with Shane Kim and Harold Ryan. The latter one saying: "Our relationship with Microsoft has never been better/stronger."
On the possible development for other platforms in the future.
At this point we only plan to cooperate with Microsoft Games Studios. They're the best publisher on the market. And this definitely is the team we want to work with - now and in the years to come. No, right now there are no plans to develop (games) for other platforms.
[nevermind]
Need more coffee.
Query: Does Microsoft own the Halo IP outright or is there shared ownership?
Microsoft owns it.
Seems like strange timing though doesn't it? Why announce the week after "the biggest video game launch in history"? Although I guess it wouldn't really effect sales at all.
For Bungie, it sounds like great timing. They are HOT, they get to choose what they do next. If they need investment capital, they'll probably have people knocking at their door.
For Microsoft, who knows?
So on a semi-related note - at least in the sense of "what next?" - I was browsing the job listings at Bungie.net because Frankie linked to them. The last bullet point in the programmers listing says "A love of combat on the high seas." Speculate as you please.
(Disclaimer: I no longer keep tabs on future developments like I used to and Bungie's next project may be already well known and thoroughly discussed. If so, just ignore my post.)
I'm honestly shocked this happened as the rumour was started by a blog that doesn't have much credibility. I just assumed Microsoft would buy off the key people like Take-Two did with Rockstar but I guess the developers wanted their freedom more than money (and I suppose none of them are hurting for money anyway right now.) From how this reads, it seems as though Microsoft either had to let them go or completely lose their biggest cash cow so they just decided to let Bungie do what they want while maintaining close ties which is what they count on the most. I've never been a huge fan of Bungie games in general but this is a rare event and it's really good to see a talented team break out of corporate clutches rather than get sucked into them.
The rumor started with the Seattle Post-Intelligencer online version of the newspaper, not a blog.
So on a semi-related note - at least in the sense of "what next?" - I was browsing the job listings at Bungie.net because Frankie linked to them. The last bullet point in the programmers listing says "A love of combat on the high seas." Speculate as you please.
(Disclaimer: I no longer keep tabs on future developments like I used to and Bungie's next project may be already well known and thoroughly discussed. If so, just ignore my post.)
Actually, it's a long running Bungie in joke. They had some kind of April Fool's joke or something years back where they claimed they were making a game called "Pimps at Sea." Since then, they gave early builds of Halo 2 and Halo 3 that name, so it would show on their private networks that people where playing a game called that.
Of course, that doesn't mean that they AREN'T actually planning to make some sort of nautical combat game, but it's probably just a reference to their love of all things pirate related.
Of course, that doesn't mean that they AREN'T actually planning to make some sort of nautical combat game, but it's probably just a reference to their love of all things pirate related.
A nautical combat game featuring outrageous footwear perhaps?
Arrrr I's aways gots me fishies with me?
Ok, I got nothing past the shoes, really.
[quote=PyromanFOThe rumor started with the Seattle Post-Intelligencer online version of the newspaper, not a blog.[/quote]
Oh, I had read in a couple of places that it was started by a blogger who uses some publicly accessible blogging system on that paper's web site.
Yep, blog post. If you look at the language and punctuation of this post, it definitely isn't an article from the paper. Also this:
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