Bungie to become independent studio again - Official PR

[sionyboy]

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/071005/aqf020a.html?.v=2

REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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.

MS to get first refusal on future Bungie titles, and will publish them.
Bungie to carry on developing Halo games
Free to develop for other platforms (though, look for DS rather than other console platforms..if at all)
More creative freedom from TEH EVIL MS.

Just...Wow.

[serial_carpens]

Hey, looky there! The most reasonable version of the rumor ended up being true! Imagine that.

EDIT: Poor DJ Lushious...this has to be a kick in teeth after the effort he put forth in the other thread to dispel the rumor as total bullshit.

[sionyboy]

Originally Posted by serial_carpens

Hey, looky there! The most reasonable version of the rumor ended up being true! Imagine that.

EDIT: Poor DJ Lushious...this has to be a kick in teeth after the effort he put forth in the other thread to dispel the rumor as total bullshit.

I reckon there has been some serious hardball between Bungie and MS this week whilst hammering out this deal. I wouldn't be surprised if MS's initial offer was a lot less beneficial to Bungie than this one, but given the reaction of the online community to some of the rumours and leaks being thrown around, I think MS decided it was better to keep Bungie on their side.

Good work by Bungie though, I wonder if Frankie or Luke delivered the Halo DS game to show off on IGN.

[The_Man42]

Originally Posted by sionyboy

I reckon there has been some serious hardball between Bungie and MS this week whilst hammering out this deal. I wouldn't be surprised if MS's initial offer was a lot less beneficial to Bungie than this one, but given the reaction of the online community to some of the rumours and leaks being thrown around, I think MS decided it was better to keep Bungie on their side.

Good work by Bungie though, I wonder if Frankie or Luke delivered the Halo DS game to show off on IGN.

Frankly I dont see what the big issue is here, Bungie becomes once again their own Private entity and their free to develop more games and essentially have more space and less pressure. Its not like they broke free of the "evil" grip of MS, rather they were allowed to become their own company again and they will continue to be devoted to MS as a quality game developer for a long time and hopefully be able to churn out even better titles and DLC.

[h4x0r]

So they've essentially moved from a first-party developer to a second-party developer?

[Dj_Lushious]

Originally Posted by serial_carpens

EDIT: Poor DJ Lushious...this has to be a kick in teeth after the effort he put forth in the other thread to dispel the rumor as total bullshit.

As tongue-in-cheek as your comment is, my intention was to never dispel the rumor, but to make people aware that, at that time, the rumor was unconfirmed.

Not that I need to explain myself again.

Either way, I think TheMan's comments sum up my feelings on this perfectly.

[serial_carpens]

Originally Posted by Dj_Lushious

As tongue-in-cheek as your comment is, my intention was to never dispel the rumor, but to make people aware that, at that time, the rumor was unconfirmed.

Not that I need to explain myself again.

Either way, I think TheMan's comments sum up my feelings on this perfectly.

Pshh. Rumors are like the basic rule of our justice system: innocent until proven guilty (er, I mean...true until proven false).

[ptaaty]

Originally Posted by h4x0r

So they've essentially moved from a first-party developer to a second-party developer?

basically, it looks something like that to me....

For MS I could see they get less money....for gamers, doesn't really matter at all. For xbox fanboys it doesn't even matter. First dibs on every title for publishing.

Pretty much I think if anything this is good news for gaming in general, give them some additional freedom.

[Dj_Lushious]

Here's what Bungie had to say about this news:

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

[ptaaty]

Originally Posted by Dj_Lushious

Here's what Bungie had to say about this news:

looks like you and all the other xbox fanboys just got PWNED!
i kid i kid...like I said if anything this is good news, even for xbox fans