MS to continue to publish games based on Halo IP and future Bungie properties.
Another of the week's worst kept secrets has finally been made public. Bungie, the creators of worldwide hit Halo 3, has announced that it has once again become an independent company - although Microsoft has retained an equity interest in the developer.
Speaking about the future of Halo, Shane Kim, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios said: "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."
Xbox fans perhaps disgruntled by the news needn't be too worried. Harold Ryan, studio head for Bungie made the company's focus in the future quite clear: "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."
Kim Naroz wrote at 19:52 on 05 October 2007
This is a business improvement that actually helps Xbox 360 & Games for Windows
This official confirmation proves that very little has changed.
Consider these facts:
(1) Although Microsoft allowed Bungie to become an Independent Developer, we now know that Microsoft is still the largest shareholder in Bungie.
This means that Microsoft still plays a very key role in the life of Bungie.
(2) The Development company, Bungie, makes it 100% clear that Microsoft Game Studios is still the Publisher of games created by Bungie.
(3) Bungie will remain in the state of Washington, very close to Microsoft. Obviously this is because the two will still be working as closely as ever.
(4) Microsoft still owns the Intellectual Property rights to the Halo franchise. Halo 3 may be the last game in the Halo trilogy with the current story, but that doesn't necessarily mean there won't be other Halo games with other characters. Perhaps there might even be other games with Master Chief, but not necessarily fighting the Covenant.
(5) Bungie wants to work on "New" Intellectual Properties...From Microsoft's point of view that probably was a financial risk--a poor decision, because the constant release of Halo games is a guaranteed success. Allowing Bungie to control their own fate like this makes it so the financial risk is removed, and it actually allows an opportunity for growth and improved performance to occur.
(6) Some of the members of Bungie have actually become part of Microsoft Game Studios. So, when Microsoft Game Studios eventually publishes the next Halo game, it will still have members of the original Bungie team as the lead designers.
(7) Just to confirm, Microsoft still owns the Halo intellectual property rights, and will work with Bungie on future Halo games. All games created by Bungie in the future will be for Microsoft platforms with Microsoft Game Studios as the Publisher. The difference is that Bungie will own the intellectual property rights and have a larger earnings potential, which is fine by Microsoft because it will motivate Bungie to always do their best in creating games for Xbox 360 and Games for Windows.
This new business agreement makes it so Bungie can own the stuff they create from this point forward, and potentially have significantly greater financial earnings, since they will own all of the property. That form of potential for greater earnings will motivate the staff of Bungie to make sure and do the best job possible on the work they are doing. Then, once the work is complete Microsoft will benefit because Xbox 360 and Games for Windows are the platforms that will receive the content.
I honestly think this was an excellent business move, considering that Bungie was so insistent on creating new content. In reality, very little has changed because the Xbox 360 is still the primary development platform...the only thing that has changed is who will own the new Intellectual Properties that Bungie creates.
G29983413 wrote at 03:04 on 06 October 2007
Halo 3 Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Halo 3 Is The Best Game Ever!
Hanley wrote at 03:17 on 06 October 2007
No it's not, that's a rediculous statement - Halo 3 is not the best game ever.
Bloodstorm wrote at 21:47 on 06 October 2007
We all know that Doom 2 is. Get your facts right.