Here’s the official word straight from Bungie:
Almost Nobody asked,
What’s all this about Bungie and Microsoft splitting up?
Bungie Branches Off
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
Well, I suppose the good news is at least they will still be making Halo games right? I’ve actually heard that Bungie was tired of making just Halo games several months ago from some tester friends that were working there but I didn’t know it’d lead to this. My guess is that Bungie gave some sort of ultimatum saying they wouldn’t make any more Halo games unless they’d be allowed to do other stuff as well.
Wow though. Isn’t this crazy?
Check out the official Bungie story here.
