Author Topic: Microsoft and Bungie Part Ways (Read 10893 times)

Nick DiMola · « **on:** October 05, 2007, 07:58:48 AM »

Microsoft has just issued an official press release revealing that Bungie is breaking away from Microsoft in order to become an independent company.

So I guess the rumors were true...

This creates an interesting situation. I wonder if Bungie will continue developing for Microsoft or start a new franchise on other consoles. I would have a big laugh if they developed a very Halo-like FPS for the PS3 or Wii.

bustin98 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 05, 2007, 08:16:02 AM »

Joystiq has reactions from the companies. We won't notice any changes for years. MS owns the Halo franchise. Bungie keeps everything else. And MS gets first dibs on publishing future releases.

I wish I knew what we'll see to come out of this. Maybe Bungie was a stopping block to putting Halo on the DS. There was an interview with a couple of Bungie guys and the HaloDS rumor was brought up. One fellow said that he didn't see the DS as a FPS system and had no interest in it.

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2007, 08:16:52 AM »

Yikes, I heard the rumor but I didn't expect it to turn out true. I am hoping that Bungie makes a stellar RTS game for Wii.

that Baby guy · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2007, 08:21:25 AM »

This confirms it. Halo DS was being made at one point in time.

vudu · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2007, 08:41:37 AM »

You misspelled Microsoft is screwed LOL in the thread title.

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #5 on:** October 05, 2007, 08:42:31 AM »

Well if I understand it right, it looks like Bungie is still a MS Developer with a long term exclusive contract.

Nick DiMola · « **Reply #6 on:** October 05, 2007, 08:55:37 AM »

Quote
Bungie Studios was founded in 1991 with two goals: to develop games that combine brilliant technology, beautiful art, intelligent stories and deep gameplay, and then sell enough of those games to achieve its real goal of total world domination.

Well it seems Bungie successfully accomplished Goal #2. As for Goal #1 ...

Kairon · « **Reply #7 on:** October 05, 2007, 09:09:33 AM »

Bungie is now a MS second party. Whoop-de-doo.

Crimm · « **Reply #8 on:** October 05, 2007, 09:20:39 AM »

Future News: Microsoft and Rare Part Ways

Ian Sane · « **Reply #9 on:** October 05, 2007, 09:52:17 AM »

Halo 4 will probably be pretty f*cked if MS can't get Bungie to do it.

Hey, Nintendo, remember when MS took Rare? Payback time. Only Bungie is still in their prime. I can't think of more valuable dev right now. Thus I figure Nintendo will probably NOT even consider going after them, just because. But seriously imagine if they had both Retro AND Bungie on board.

The Wii's third party support sucks balls. Nintendo should start being friendly with these guys. They could be like Square was in 1997.

that Baby guy · « **Reply #10 on:** October 05, 2007, 09:57:26 AM »

Well, Ian, don't forget, Nintendo has a huge lump sum of cash to invest with that might not be in use right now.

After all, they've had their standard number of games in development, so those costs haven't really risen, yet they're making at least fifty bucks/Wii. I'd say they could but them if Bungie were interested. I think Nintendo should be very interested since Halo 3 made quite a splash in Japan, as well. I'd say this would be a great opportunity to please Western gamers, while not offending Japanese ones, either. I think that could be a very remarkable move, if Nintendo would actually make it. Of course, they'd have to make sure that half of Bungie's talent doesn't leave upon takeover, but other than that, it's an ideal purchase for Nintendo.

bustin98 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 05, 2007, 10:15:48 AM »

It seems to be the first thought we all have is for Nintendo to buy out some development house that shows up as available. But I don't see Bungie being excited by Nintendo. I'm sure they like to push boundaries like most American devs and they don't see the Wii in that light.

I think Bungie could fill a space missing in the Wii's library, but there are a lot of other studios that can do the same. My impression is that Bungie is full of Microsoft fanboys and thats not likely to change.

that Baby guy · « **Reply #12 on:** October 05, 2007, 10:19:39 AM »

Except Bungie began as a Mac company.

It's bad, but I'm very tempted to create a wikipedia rumor about bungie being bought by Nintendo, or in talks with Nintendo or something. I'd like to see the reaction.

Ian Sane · « **Reply #13 on:** October 05, 2007, 10:28:19 AM »

"Of course, they'd have to make sure that half of Bungie's talent doesn't leave upon takeover, but other than that, it's an ideal purchase for Nintendo."

Hell they don't even have to own them. Just have them work on an exclusive. FPS experts. Wii remote. I mean COME ON. It's a perfect fit!

Strell · « **Reply #14 on:** October 05, 2007, 11:09:09 AM »

If they wanted to get Bungie, then they'd have to put out a more powerful system. Period.

If that is the case, then they could get them under their wing and bring them in as a close developer to give advice on the next round of hardware. Then get them to make a launch game using the Wii 2 (whatever it ends up being called) that implements the new hardware.

I imagine the next system from Nintendo will be more directly comparable in terms of power.

This is a good idea, but I'm doubting it would ever happen. But if it did, then the world has seriously turned upside down.

As far as Rare->MS parallel goes, it never struck me as a big deal, given what has happened. I always saw it as a Nintendo wanted to offload Rare and make some money back at the same time, and MS was the first willing participant (or highest bidder, whatever).

Pale · « **Reply #15 on:** October 05, 2007, 11:14:32 AM »

I think you guys are missing the real point here. Nintendo wouldn't ever buy Bungie because Bungie doesn't want to be owned by anyone. I think it's pretty apparent that the original owners were kind of bummed that MS owned them now. There was probably a long and good natured negotiation about how they wanted to own the company again. Stocks probably changed hands (and maybe even some cash) so they could buy them back, and a contract was probably signed that ensured their games would still be on 360.

All in all, they probably just wanted to control their own destiny as far as what games they were making. MS would not have done this if there was a possibility of losing them as a developer. Chances are we won't really ever notice a difference.

Kairon · « **Reply #16 on:** October 05, 2007, 11:34:20 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Pale
I think you guys are missing the real point here. Nintendo wouldn't ever buy Bungie because Bungie doesn't want to be owned by anyone. I think it's pretty apparent that the original owners were kind of bummed that MS owned them now. There was probably a long and good natured negotiation about how they wanted to own the company again. Stocks probably changed hands (and maybe even some cash) so they could buy them back, and a contract was probably signed that ensured their games would still be on 360.

All in all, they probably just wanted to control their own destiny as far as what games they were making. MS would not have done this if there was a possibility of losing them as a developer. Chances are we won't really ever notice a difference.

QFT.

Plugabugz · « **Reply #17 on:** October 05, 2007, 12:39:49 PM »

Nintendo wouldn't buy them. They paid $1m for Retro. Unless they pay a similar amount for Bungie then it won't happen.

Quality and talent has to surpass purchase price and that's just outta the question.

GoldenPhoenix · « **Reply #18 on:** October 05, 2007, 01:07:03 PM »

Nintendo should instead buy Konami and then dump them in the ocean for treating Wii owners like crap.

Flames_of_chaos · « **Reply #19 on:** October 05, 2007, 01:09:05 PM »

Well I doubt Nintendo Sony EA Activision or anyone would buy them, but I wont be surprised if they would make games for those publishers but like the interviews said they claim that they only have 360 SDKs.

Crimm · « **Reply #20 on:** October 05, 2007, 03:09:57 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: GoldenPhoenix
Nintendo should instead buy Konami and then dump them in the ocean for treating Wii owners like crap.

I'd contribute to a fund for that.

Arbok · « **Reply #21 on:** October 05, 2007, 03:13:09 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Lord_die_seis
Well I doubt Nintendo Sony EA Activision or anyone would buy them, but I wont be surprised if they would make games for those publishers but like the interviews said they claim that they only have 360 SDKs.

I actually could see Sony attempting to do this, or at least woe them away from the 360 to make PS3 games.

Sir_Stabbalot · « **Reply #22 on:** October 05, 2007, 03:21:56 PM »

Sweet. New Marathon?

BranDonk Kong · « **Reply #23 on:** October 05, 2007, 03:23:08 PM »

You guys are reading this wrong, at least I think

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

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.

I'm pretty sure this just means Microsoft might let Bungie make games on other systems, but they'll be published under Microsoft Games Studios, just like RARE's GBA and DS games are. I don't think this is a split by any means, if anything, it's just going to make Microsoft more money. Notice the part about "other future properties developed by Bungie" part.

Ceric · « **Reply #24 on:** October 05, 2007, 04:14:44 PM »

Bungie is past its prime if history has taught me anything.