Bungie breaks away, goes independent
So fanboys, what do you make of this? The press release sounds way too fluffy and way too civil for such a breakup, but maybe that's really how it is. We aren't sure, but it's going to be extremely interesting to see what Bungie's plans are for the future, how the Halo IP grows and how the two parties work together. Odd times indeed.
[Via Major Nelson]
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Reader Comments
(Page 1)2. OMG!!!! I smell a cover up! There has to be more to this story.
4. Richard...cue your clip from the Princes Bride...inconceivable.
Truthfully, my take is this. As in Holleywood, it seems that when actors, acrtresses become filthy rich and famous, the last thing they want to do is what it was that people made them famous for. They want to move away from being "typecast". Jim Carey, for example not wanting to do comedy anymore, and wanting to do "serious" roles.
This is where I feel Bungie is. I love Bungie, but they NEVER would have done or made it as far as this had it not been for that GIANT money machine, aka MS, supporting them and hyping them. I think it's gone to their heads. I think it's on disc 2 of the legendary bonus stuff...Jason Jones makes the comment "Halo came from alot of their earlier wandering around, they want to go back to that wandering around".
This, plain and simple, sucks.
Posted at 11:36AM on Oct 5th 2007 by Knight Marquise
5. I'm happy with it to be honest. This will give Bungie the space they need to try new things. M$ and Bungie made a ton of sweet cash together and as long as they keep producing games for the 360 or future M$ consoles I'm a happy camper!
6. Now that Bungie's name is iconic, this is only natural for them to become independent. Everything they touch in gamer's eyes will become gold. The competition can now see what it is to play a Bungie game.
Posted at 11:37AM on Oct 5th 2007 by TALLandNcharge
7. How were the rumors true? Nothing has changed, Bungie didn't leave Microsoft and will still be making games published by Microsoft only. The only thing that changes is financial crap that has nothing to do with us.
"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."
8. Don't believe Microsoft agreed to it. How retarded.
Stupid move in my book but whatever, as long as they don't turn around and shit on the 360 fans that have supported them for years I'm not going to mind to much.
Posted at 11:38AM on Oct 5th 2007 by SadisticHam
9. I read this as: "Bungie, thanks for the money from Halo! Because you won't be making any more Halo games soon, we don't need you anymore."
Posted at 11:40AM on Oct 5th 2007 by BobTheMonkey
10. Bungie is now Puerto Rico to Microsoft's United States.
Posted at 11:43AM on Oct 5th 2007 by Jonah Falcon
11. "I read this as: "Bungie, thanks for the money from Halo! Because you won't be making any more Halo games soon, we don't need you anymore."
Then why is Bungie currently working on Halo 3 DLC?
Posted at 11:44AM on Oct 5th 2007 by Jonah Falcon
12. This could be good for both sides. Bungie won't be driven by MS to do another Halo game thus giving them freedom to re-visit their Myth series or a re-vamped Oni making it the way they intended. With MS owning them, they were probably forced to work only on what MS wanted them to do
13. Well, if they don't pull an Epic, then they should be fine.
This should give Bungie more space and freedom in creating their next game(s).
But really, this doesn't change much...
14. If anyone took the time to read BUNGIE's press release you'd see strong support for 2nd party status (i.e. way more freedom and monies), "Bungie and Microsoft Corp. today announced a plan for Bungie Studios, the developers of Microsoft’s “Halo†franchise, to become a privately held independent company, Bungie, LLC, in which Microsoft will hold a minority equity interest."
Microsoft still has a stake in them, but is it like Nintendo and Rare were, or like Sony and Square before?
15. GOOD RIDDANCE!!! YIPEE YAY!
I hope Epic takes over the halo franchise, and reworks it with true next-gen graphics and with weapons that pack fire power -- not the cheezy rehashed Metroid shooting sounds.
I hope Bungie develops exclusively for PS3 to help them deliver on a streak of poor games.
Posted at 11:52AM on Oct 5th 2007 by iLuvUrOpinion
16. I don't mind they now can do other things but then again they could of did it with MS (or what do I know). I like other games from bungie and I am really looking towards a new release by them ( a none halo game).
Posted at 11:53AM on Oct 5th 2007 by NitroFrost
17. I really hope Bungie doesn't try to be all different and just make dumb, odd games when they could be doing more Halo-related stuff.
18. It's really not a bad thing, I think. I would be content to just get Halo 3 from Bungie this gen. It's a pretty complete game, and we really don't need so much more of the story. The multiplayer will keep everyone busy for years. Not to mention all the other great shooters that are on the near horizon for the 360. I'm really curious and excited to see what IP Bungie will bust out next. It'd be cool to see them delve into a different genre altogether.
19. @ #7
I was under the impression that their new status as an independent developer allows them to create games and new properties for whatever system they care to, the notable exception being the Halo franchise. In that, plenty has changed. They're no longer under a major deadline and they don't have the pressure of being the system's selling point any more. They're free to work on their own terms.
However, as far as I know, some of the team have said that they like working on the 360 so I doubt that any earth-shattering developments like a PS3 exclusive...but I could easily see them doing some more work with Apple, especially when you consider some of the recent comments out of Cupertino...
Posted at 11:59AM on Oct 5th 2007 by Ryan McBride
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1. As long as Bungie keeps making games for 360 (which is the only new console I own), I honestly don't really care.
I imagine it's just easier for them to do what they want this way.
Posted at 11:33AM on Oct 5th 2007 by Tony