The rumor that Bungie and Microsoft are splitting up turned out to be true. We called it for false early in the week and were wrong, wrong, wrong.
Bungie has been independent since October 1st, although a long-term parternship is in place between the two companies. Microsoft will hold a minority equity interest in Bungie, and the two firms "have forged a deep and long-term development and publishing relationship focused on the continued success of the Halo franchise."
In addition, Microsoft and Bungie said that they will "expand their partnership to include new IP created and owned by Bungie." A new Bungie game/series...? Yessss!
"This exciting evolution of our relationship with Microsoft will enable us to expand both creatively and organizationally in our mission to create world-class games," said Harold Ryan, studio head for Bungie. "We will continue to develop with our primary focus on Microsoft's 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."
"Working with Microsoft was great for us, it allowed us to grow as a team and make the ambitious, blockbuster games we all wanted to work on. And they will continue to be a great partner. But Bungie is like a shark. We have to keep moving to survive. We have to continually test ourselves, or we might as well be dolphins. Or manatees," said Jason Jones, Bungie founder and partner.
