Bungie-Microsoft Split Rumors Persist

Without any official denial or confirmation, rumors continue to swirl that the studio behind Halo will depart from Microsoft in some form.

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Without any official denial or confirmation from Bungie or Microsoft, rumors continue to swirl that the studio behind Halo will, in some form, depart from Microsoft due to Microsoft's want of more Halo, lackluster profit sharing, and other differences.

As previously noted, Microsoft owns Bungie, so it is impossible that the developer would be able to split from Microsoft without Microsoft's desire to sell it. The latest round of industry gossip addresses this issue.

Shareholder Buyback?
According to a source quoted by Game Informer, Bungie shareholders supposedly brokered a deal allowing them to buy the Bungie name back from Microsoft as long as the corporation has "the right of first refusal" on all future Bungie titles.

If true, Bungie would have to pitch new titles to Microsoft before they approached any other publisher. Such a setup would guarantee Microsoft the first pick at potential blockbusters but would also allow the studio more freedom, including the option to develop on other platforms.

However, the notion of Bungie having shareholders struck some the wrong way, especially since Microsoft acquired complete ownership of the studio. For clarification, Shacknews inquired to a Microsoft representative, who responded with "we don't discuss financial terms."

The report also specifies that Microsoft would retain ownership of the Halo property--undoubtedly the rumor's most believable aspect.

More Possibilities
Other speculation has key staff leaving the studio and either forming a new company or joining an existing one, perhaps one founded by a former Bungie employee. Bungie founder and Halo creator Alexander Seropian went on to form Wideload Games. Bungie alum and Halo 2 online lead Max Hoberman presides over Certain Affinity, which recently developed the Blastacular Halo 2 map pack.

As both Microsoft and Bungie continue to dance around the rumor, and as Bungie employees are generally quick to comment or at least touch on breaking news, it is seeming more and more likely that something is indeed transpiring behind the scenes.

Chris Faylor was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

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From The Chatty
  • reply
    October 3, 2007 10:45 AM

    If this goes through, let's hope RARE follows suit. I'd like to see Battletoads on Wii. ;D

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      October 3, 2007 10:48 AM

      I don't think Rare owns the IP for that. I think Data East still has it?

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        October 3, 2007 10:55 AM

        Wow -- Data East, a name I haven't heard in like a decade. Are they still around?

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        October 3, 2007 11:01 AM

        Why would Data East own the Battletoads IP?

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      October 3, 2007 11:19 AM

      Didn't all of the real talent from RARE leave a long time ago?

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        October 3, 2007 11:30 AM

        The real talent left before Microsoft even bought them. See: Starfox Adventures

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      October 3, 2007 11:55 AM

      Or maybe FASA so we can get a proper MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries sequel...
      I did like MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries, but it was different. And of course there has yet to be a MechWarrior 5. :(

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        October 3, 2007 12:00 PM

        FASA's disbanded and its staff has been relocated to different teams throughout Microsoft and other devs :(

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          October 3, 2007 7:48 PM

          Then Microsoft needs to way instain the Shadowrun IP!

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