RUMOR: Bungie Leaves Microsoft - Update Bungie Goes Independent...Sort Of.

[quote name='The Mana Knight']I wouldn't be surprised actually. With FASA closing, Digital Anvil out, Bizarre Creations going to Activision (although MS never owned them), talk about the Crackdown creators making something else (I'm going to bet it's for another publisher, but I could be wrong), rumor of Rare going out, and now this, so that's why I'm not surprised.

Personally, I feel MS should keep them and continue building their first party studios. I think Bungie will remain with MS, but I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't.

What I see MS doing now is unloading their first party studios, since they count against the money spent on their home entertainment division (which hasn't made a profit yet, and MS promised investors a profit by 2008). By eliminating pay for all of them, that may lessen MS debt. This doesn't mean MS will have fewer exclusives, because they'll probably just pay third parties to make exclusive games out of pocket (so that money doesn't count as continuing to lose money in their home entertainment division). This is just 100% speculation by me.[/QUOTE]

QFT. Go Boilers (I'm an alumni).
 
[quote name='Apossum']game informar sez:





so what this adds up to is-- bungie is becoming 3rd party, but MS gets first dibs??[/quote]They get first dibs as publisher, but I don't know what that means as far as platform. I mean, if they were to make a Wii game, I don't think that MS would/could say "we choose to publish this game, but you have to redevelop it for the 360 instead." I think they'd either have to publish it for Wii or pass on it.
 
[quote name='dallow']Wow.[/QUOTE]


kinda wow. less wow as the minutes pass. if it is just a "split up but still together" scenario or a way for MS to report less losses on the 360, like people are speculating on GAF, then it's just medium wow.

but you know we'll be seeing some of this:

OMG HALO 4 FOR THE PS3 CONFIRMED!
I wouldn't be surprised actually. With FASA closing, Digital Anvil out, Bizarre Creations going to Activision (although MS never owned them), talk about the Crackdown creators making something else (I'm going to bet it's for another publisher, but I could be wrong), rumor of Rare going out, and now this, so that's why I'm not surprised.

Personally, I feel MS should keep them and continue building their first party studios. I think Bungie will remain with MS, but I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't.

What I see MS doing now is unloading their first party studios, since they count against the money spent on their home entertainment division (which hasn't made a profit yet, and MS promised investors a profit by 2008). By eliminating pay for all of them, that may lessen MS debt. This doesn't mean MS will have fewer exclusives, because they'll probably just pay third parties to make exclusive games out of pocket (so that money doesn't count as continuing to lose money in their home entertainment division). This is just 100% speculation by me.
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great theory, great digest for all 50 pages of the gaf thread :lol:
 
Assuming what game informer says is true, it almost sounds like they'll just be second party to Microsoft.

I'm getting the vibe that we're basically going to have two new teams: Bungie 1, comprised of members who don't want to do Halo (I'm guessing Jason Jones will be a part of this group. Since he's the face of Bungie after Seropian left, I doubt fans would react kindly to a new group with the same name. Hence "Bungie leaving Microsoft") and Bungie 2, comprised of those who want to do Halo-esque projects (in size of scope) and former FASA members.

Still, I think the internet has blown it out of proportion. And I certainly doubt Microsoft would give up the Bungie name without some major clauses in a contract.
 
I see Bungie still developing for Microsoft yeah.
So not as big a wow.

But I can also see side projects for Wii, possibly PS3 as well.
 
[quote name='Apossum']I'm assuming there's A LOT more to it than that.[/QUOTE]

Well yes. I actually think that The Mana Knight is right on the money with this one.
 
[quote name='mykevermin']The worst case scenario for MS? They retain the name Bungie and the IP for Halo, take the 360 engine, and churn out Halo 4 in 12 months. Meanwhile, Frank O'Connor, Jason Jones, and the rest of the gang that began Bungie as a painstaking labor of love (or idiocy, as who makes games strictly for the Macintosh?), leave and begin another studio that makes games people forget about.[/QUOTE]
Again, I still call bullshit on this whole rumor. However, FYI, Frank O'Connor is by no means an old-school Bungie employee. The guy cut his teeth in game journalism -- working for (and running) a ton of outlets. I'm pretty sure he joined around development for Halo 2.

Switching gears a bit, in this day and age of multiplatform releases, I'm sure Microsoft realizes how important it is to come out with big first-party, exclusive releases. I would understand if Bungie was sick of doing Halo, as I would understand if Microsoft wanted them to continue. Naughty Dog was able to halt the Jak stream with Uncharted, so something could be worked out. I'm sure a lot of negotiating gets done between publisher and developer.
 
[quote name='benjamouth']True, but the source is tenuous at best.

This has got "don't believe everything you read on Internetz" written all over it.[/QUOTE]

I'm just fuckin' with him. Every time I see his "sick of all the cynicism" user title, coupled with his perpetually snide and cynical take on everything, I have to point out the irony.

Nothing more than that.

...buh? There's some possible legitimacy to this? MS was so fuckin' stupid as to let Bungie buy themselves out? Did they learn anything from President Reagan fucking over the air traffic controllers union? Keep the name, keep the IP, tell the employees to kiss your ass as they all walk to the unemployment line, and you hand the game engine to some bitch-ass developers who will make an above-mediocre Halo 4 for next to nothin'. Christ!

(now, for the record, THAT is how you do cynicism).
 
I don't understand his title.

Is he being sarcastic with it, and taking the piss at himself. Or is he really sick of cynicism? (his own, notwithstanding)
 
I'm calling BS on this too. Sony has a big announcement coming on the 12th so any negative Microsoft press would be a bonus to them.

Besides if Microsoft owns Bungie, how would Bungie have shareholders, and even if they did, how could they buy back the stocks if Microsoft doesn't want to sell?
 
As long as bungie keeps making games and top talent like Jason Jones and Griesemer stick around I'll be happy. I'd switch to whatever platform they develop for, as long as it wasn't PC.
You could really see how sick of halo Jones was in the legendary ed. commentary. I'm sure they'll do fine work wherever they end up.
 
[quote name='Chris in Cali']Good, Halo wasn't that great anyway. Maybe someone else will make Halo 4 much better?[/QUOTE]


yeah, they need to get Rare on that...or maybe the team who made Blinx.
 
[quote name='Apossum']yeah, they need to get Rare on that...or maybe the team who made Blinx.[/quote]

I nominate LJN.

ljn.gif
 
[quote name='Chris in Cali']Good, Halo wasn't that great anyway. Maybe someone else will make Halo 4 much better?[/quote]

are you insane?
 
[quote name='Lieutenant Dan']I nominate LJN.

ljn.gif
[/QUOTE]

:applause: haven't seen that logo in years, thankfully.
 
[quote name='The Mana Knight']I wouldn't be surprised actually. With FASA closing, Digital Anvil out, Bizarre Creations going to Activision (although MS never owned them), talk about the Crackdown creators making something else (I'm going to bet it's for another publisher, but I could be wrong), rumor of Rare going out, and now this, so that's why I'm not surprised.

Personally, I feel MS should keep them and continue building their first party studios. I think Bungie will remain with MS, but I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't.

What I see MS doing now is unloading their first party studios, since they count against the money spent on their home entertainment division (which hasn't made a profit yet, and MS promised investors a profit by 2008). By eliminating pay for all of them, that may lessen MS debt. This doesn't mean MS will have fewer exclusives, because they'll probably just pay third parties to make exclusive games out of pocket (so that money doesn't count as continuing to lose money in their home entertainment division). This is just 100% speculation by me.[/QUOTE]
Dont forget Microsoft Game Studio Japan also closed recently and most of the people moved on to FeelPlus
 
[quote name='62t']Dont forget Microsoft Game Studio Japan also closed recently and most of the people moved on to FeelPlus[/quote]And FeelPlus is making Blue Dragon DS. It's all making sense now. Bungie to make Blue Dragon Wii.
 
[quote name='Apossum']yeah, they need to get Rare on that...or maybe the team who made Blinx.[/QUOTE]
I actually like PDZ better than Halo 3. I got Halo 3 the day it came out, and I already sold it. And I almost never get rid of my games.
 
[quote name='Rei no Otaku']I actually like PDZ better than Halo 3. I got Halo 3 the day it came out, and I already sold it. And I almost never get rid of my games.[/QUOTE]
You're the only person that I have ever heard that likes PDZ. Very disappointing game.
 
[quote name='docvinh']You're the only person that I have ever heard that likes PDZ. Very disappointing game.[/QUOTE]

cocaine, one hell of a drug.
 
[quote name='Rei no Otaku']http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/516508.asp

81%? Wow, I guess I really am alone in liking the game.[/quote]Halo 3: better single player, better multiplayer, better multiplayer balance, better multiplayer maps, better character models. But PDZ DOES have super shiny snow and that big arrow that tells you how to navigate their atrociously designed single player levels.
 
[quote name='Rei no Otaku']http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/516508.asp

81%? Wow, I guess I really am alone in liking the game.[/quote]From my understanding, it got somewhat boosted in its reviews being a launch game. Once the honeymoon was over and people actually thought about the game, they realized that it wasn't as great as they may have thought at the time.

That being said, I'm glad you liked it. Though, did you even give Halo 3 a chance?
 
[quote name='Rei no Otaku']I actually like PDZ better than Halo 3. I got Halo 3 the day it came out, and I already sold it. And I almost never get rid of my games.[/QUOTE]


whoa.

*grabs popcorn*


From my understanding, it got somewhat boosted in its reviews being a launch game. Once the honeymoon was over and people actually thought about the game, they realized that it wasn't as great as they may have thought at the time.
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and then it was a mad dash to buy up the real definitive launch fps, Call of Duty 2.

PDZ was already old and busted the day it came out. The game was in production purgatory (along with Kameo) forever. games don't usually survive that. when they switch systems multiple times.

The sad part is, without the "shooting off the armor" mechanic and with a smooth 60fps, the game would've been a hell of a lot better.
 
[quote name='daroga']From my understanding, it got somewhat boosted in its reviews being a launch game. Once the honeymoon was over and people actually thought about the game, they realized that it wasn't as great as they may have thought at the time.[/quote] Yeah, I have heard the same thing as well. But since I have never played the game I can't really say much more than that.
 
[quote name='Chibi_Kaji']Yeah, I have heard the same thing as well. But since I have never played the game I can't really say much more than that.[/quote]Yeah, me either. I might nab it for under $10 at some point, but my impression was for the first few weeks, "WOW! HD!!!" and then once that wore off, PD:Z had worn out its welcome.
 
PDZ is ok, it's quite good fun if you co-op it with a friend, it's no Halo 3 but it's no Kabuki Warriors either IMO.

And everyone's entitled to their O.
 
[quote name='daroga']

That being said, I'm glad you liked it. Though, did you even give Halo 3 a chance?[/QUOTE]
I played it for a few hours. Multiplayer, and single. That being said, I haven't liked Halo since the second game came out (thought the first one was good). I got Halo 3 as a birthday present since my birthday was actually the day before it came out.

And yes, I like PDZ far more. I also like Resistance far more than Halo. All playing Halo 3 made me do was want to play other shooters I actually enjoyed. So I got rid of it. But then as I've noticed, my taste seems to be different than most people's. My love of Koei games, and Ar Tonelico shows that well.

I just don't see why it's so shocking there are people that like other games better than Halo. No matter how good you think a game is someone out there hates it, and no matter how bad you think a game is someone likes it (obviously unless the game is completely broken).

Also I should add I got PDZ off the retail site awhile back. If I had paid a full 60 for it, then my opinion might have been different.
 
It's already been noted a few people are leaving Bungie but MS still owns them as a whole as well as the Halo franchise.

Similar to what happened to Rare when they got absorbed, and most recently after Viva Pinata sold like crap.
 
It's true.

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Microsoft Corp. (MSFT:Microsoft Corporation
News, chart, profile, more
Last: 29.88+0.17+0.57%

11:09am 10/05/2007


MSFT 29.88, +0.17, +0.6%) said Friday that Bungie Studios, which developed the "Halo" franchise, plans to become an independent company. The Redmond, Wash.-based software giant said it will retain an equity interest in Bungie while maintaining its current agreement for the Microsoft-owned "Halo" intellectual property and other future properties that Bungie develops. "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." Microsoft reported Thursday that sales of "Halo 3" topped $300 million in its first week of release.
 
It sounds more they're just "independent" on paper, than actually independent.

I guess Bungie did this to protect themselves from being dissolved like FASA, but it feels more like they're just a Retro Studios (circa 1998) than Wideload Games
 
Read the key part, kids: "Microsoft-owned 'Halo' intellectual property"

Nothing's changing, except perhaps (god willing) a console Myth.
 
[quote name='mykevermin']Read the key part, kids: "Microsoft-owned 'Halo' intellectual property"

Nothing's changing, except perhaps (god willing) a console Myth.[/QUOTE]

You know, I'm not so sure. Bungie's quite the cagey developer. Given their practicality-over-ideology approach to development (Mac exclusive, to Mac/Windows, to PS2/Xbox, to Xbox, to ...?), I wouldn't at all be surprised to see future games show up elsewhere. And good for them. They make great games, and I suspect there'll suddenly be a few less haters once their stuff shows up on the PS4 or whatever. Halo stays where it is, of course, but I wonder if the real lack of overt ties to Marathon in Halo (just oblique references) wasn't a way of protecting some of their IPs from the very beginning. Like I said: cagey. And hey, there's always Pathways into Darkness.
 
[quote name='trq']I wouldn't at all be surprised to see future games show up elsewhere.[/quote]

Surely. I should have clarified: games not named "Halo."

And hey, there's always Pathways into Darkness.
Click to expand...

Oh, fuck yeah there is!
 
You know, this is surprising in one manner, but the writing was on the wall in Halo3--literally. Anyone else notice how much Bungie's name appears all over that game? It's on every screen, every item, etc. I don't think I can remember a single other game that seemed like such an advertisement for the studio who made it. Clever boys.
 
Ahhh good for them, they're probably sick of making Halo games and only being associated with Halo.

Good luck to Bungie, hopefully the next games will be of the same quality as their last few, wherever they show up.
 
[quote name='Sporadic']So they are basically going to be what Team Ninja is to Tecmo? That isn't what I would consider leaving.[/QUOTE]


That's what they were before. TN is a development team in Tecmo, they aren't autonomous in any way. Bungie is more like Insomniac to Sony-- 2nd party but MS exclusive.
 
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