Bungie jumping Microsoft's ship?

  • By thorsen-ink, GameSpot
  • Posted Oct 1, 2007 6:16 pm PT

Source: See below. What we heard: This week, a huge amount of attention was directed to a blog post titled "Bungie Leaving Microsoft!! You heard it here first folks." The post could seem legitimate to the casual observer glancing at it for a few seconds, given that it is on the Web site for the...

Source: See below.

What we heard: This week, a huge amount of attention was directed to a blog post titled "Bungie Leaving Microsoft!! You heard it here first folks." The post could seem legitimate to the casual observer glancing at it for a few seconds, given that it is on the Web site for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, a newspaper that often breaks stories on Microsoft's latest efforts.

Upon closer examination, though, it appears rumors of Bungie's impending independence have been greatly exaggerated. For one, the blog post was not written by anyone on the Post-Intelligencer's staff, as evidenced by the note at the top of the page that reads: "P-I Reader Blogs are not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content."

The author of the post is one Jacob Metcalf, whose earlier Bungie-related posts include the enlightening "Even orange cats love Halo 3" and "LOL HALO 3!" He is the editor of the 8bitjoystick.com, a self-styled "e-zine for nerds" that has published such weighty articles as "Siracha [sic] Hot Chili Sauce: The Condiment of the Future" and "Separate Lists on Netflix is The Key to Romantic Cinematic Bliss" since its inception in 2002. Virtually all of 8bitjoystick.com's most recent posts also appear as reader blog posts on the Post-Intelligencer's Web site.

Metcalf's latest scoop is sourced as being from an e-mail "from a friend of mine" who claims the Bungie/Microsoft separation will be announced soon. The impetus behind the looming divorce is explained thusly: "Apparently MS just wants Bungie to make Halo for the rest of their natural days, and Bungie doesn't like how MS is constantly trying to 'handle' everything they do; the way they market their games, the way they interact with their fans (basically the fact that they do appreciate their fans), and how stingie [sic] they are with the profits (comparable to the rest of the industry). So as of today they are their own independent entity."

Though Metcalf repeatedly defends the integrity of his source as being beyond reproach, he overlooks one major flaw in the story. Namely, that Bungie has been owned lock, stock, and barrel by Microsoft since 2000. Although employees of a first-party developer are free to leave and start up their own shop, said developer is part of its parent company, and can't simply leave said parent of its own accord even if said parent manages it into oblivion. A perfect example is FASA Studio, which Microsoft bought in 1999. The following eight years saw the shop release a series of decreasingly popular games--including Crimson Skies and Shadowrun--until Microsoft shut it down last month. However, many of FASA's top developers left to found their own independent shop, Day 1 Studios, which developed Microsoft's MechAssault games and LucasArts' forthcoming Fracture.

The official story: Bungie referred all inquiries to Microsoft, which had its reps issue the following statement: "There's been no such announcement. We continue to celebrate the tremendous success of the global phenomenon that is Halo 3." [UPDATE] Metcalf has now responded to GameSpot, and asserted his source is very close to Bungie--about as close as one could be without actually working there.

Bogus or not bogus?: Bogus that Bungie's entire operation is uprooting itself from the Microsoft campus of its own volition and taking the Halo brand with them. Not bogus that, now that the Halo trilogy is done, many of the developer's staffers are likely pondering following in the footsteps of Bungie founder Alex Seropian, who left to create indie shop Wideload Games (Stubbs the Zombie) in 2004.

[UPDATE] As the entire world now knows, this rumor was in fact, 100 percent true. Thusly, RC doffs its hat to Mr. Metcalf for his scoop before sitting down for a nice dinner of cold crow.

326 Comments

  • max411mcp

    Posted Apr 11, 2008 7:42 am PT

    As long as they keep the Halo series going I don't care who they work for.

  • rahstar

    Posted Oct 8, 2007 1:21 pm PT

    owned

  • EqualPlatinum

    Posted Oct 6, 2007 11:13 pm PT

    lol Gamespot, bet you feel dumb now. Especially for painting Metcalf as a boob.

  • 4dak

    Posted Oct 5, 2007 4:28 pm PT

    Yeah very bogus story considering that the story was confirmed by bungie and microsoft. Good Job Gamespot.

  • solidmatt1

    Posted Oct 5, 2007 3:56 pm PT

    bahahahaha good call gamespot....yall are such microsoft fanboys....the most notable being tor thorsen. Gamespot is like the fox news of the gaming industry.

  • Bodboy466

    Posted Oct 5, 2007 3:10 pm PT

    "Haha, Gamespot just owned themselves. Idiots..." Hilariously true enough.

  • Messer_Partei

    Posted Oct 5, 2007 12:19 pm PT

    Go cry fanboys, how pathetic it is to freight over some coorporation's allegience...

  • xuimod

    Posted Oct 5, 2007 11:10 am PT

    Haha, Gamespot just owned themselves. Idiots...

  • Thrawnkkar

    Posted Oct 5, 2007 11:01 am PT

    Man they must feel pretty stupid right now.

  • mercclass

    Posted Oct 5, 2007 9:05 am PT

    Wouldn't be the first time Gamespot was wrong. It's hilarious what lengths Gamespot went through to discredit this article when in other Bogus or not articles they just throw up some logic and keep stepping. I guess it couldn't be true because they're favorite console maker and favorite development studio didn't include them in the loop about their marital problems. It sucks to be scooped.

  • wizard_levy

    Posted Oct 5, 2007 8:50 am PT

    TIme to take that back, Gamespot.

  • NA3D

    Posted Oct 4, 2007 4:29 pm PT

    I am sick of PS fanboys posting on Xbox topics, especially when they have nothing good and worthwhile to say. Anyways, it is impossible for Bungie to leave Microsoft since they own Bungie. Now all of the employees can go else where, but it wouldn't be Bungie leaving, just the people that work for Bungie.

    That is like saying Maxis is leaving EA. It is impossible, especially since in the last couple years EA fully absorbed Maxis into their HQ building, and they disappeared to never be seen again, especially as Maxis... (Now that is sad...)

  • Thranin

    Posted Oct 4, 2007 12:53 pm PT

    Ok, first off, read the damn article before you post.

    And for those that don't already realize, Bungie does not equal the only maker of Halo games. Ensemble Studios is making a Halo game (Halo Wars), and Wingnut Interactive (Peter Jackson's new game studio) is making a new episodic (I think it's episodic) Halo game as well. I think it is safe to bet that for the next 5 to 10 years there will always be a Halo game in development by someone.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wingnut_Interactive

  • HAVOK1991

    Posted Oct 4, 2007 12:29 pm PT

    to DatGMan and FLYmeatwad
    Damn read the damn article. The source it sites at the start in the Gaminformer is the same that this says in the first paragraph of this article (Seatle PI). It doesnt matter how reliable the site is, its the source of the information thats important.

    And I repeat Bungie CAN NOT leave Microsoft they are owned by them. Just check Wikipedia it says they are a subsidary. The only way they could leave is if Microsoft sold them which is extremely unlikely.

    Wow there alot of stupid people that are commenting.

  • xgalacticax

    Posted Oct 4, 2007 3:37 am PT

    halo is finished, microsoft doesnt need them anymore.

  • nofreikinleoms

    Posted Oct 3, 2007 8:13 pm PT

    u got to think sony has something to do with this

  • DatGMan

    Posted Oct 3, 2007 3:44 pm PT

    To add to what FLYmeatwad said:
    This is the link to the article-
    http://www.gameinformer.com/News/Story/200710/N07.1002.1438.22348.htm
    And yes, GI is pretty reliable.

  • Zhang-liao87

    Posted Oct 3, 2007 2:29 pm PT

    tip 1 they wouldn't give halo to sony tip 2 they don't belong to any1 they made oni an exclusive for ps2 and halo an exclusive for 360

  • volumesoxxs

    Posted Oct 3, 2007 1:11 pm PT

    I really hope they can pull off another great game series like Halo!!! hopefully they stick to FPS.

  • FLYmeatwad

    Posted Oct 3, 2007 10:31 am PT

    Gameinformer's site had an article stating that Bungie might be leaving, but Microsoft would still retain the Halo lisence and have first priority for new Bungie games, though it would open up the possiblity of multi-platform games by the developer.

  • dyne2198

    Posted Oct 3, 2007 10:15 am PT

    I was trying to do a little research and I did run across an article that stated that Bungie's shareholders were interested in buying the company back from MS for an undisclosed amount of cash, but nothing has officially happened in that regard yet. Even if it did happen, MS would retain first property rights to publish Bungie's software titles, so I'm not sure where the shareholder advantage would be in this at the present time. Maybe the tunnel-vision focus on the Halo license by MS caused some turmoil with upper-management?.....who knows. But quite simply, if Bungie were to go completely independent, MS would retain the rights to the Halo brand, so I can't see the Halo games being ported to Wii or PS3, but it definitely makes for some interesting news. I'll have to keep my eyes on this one......

  • Agermemnon

    Posted Oct 3, 2007 9:29 am PT

    @mixhawkeye yeah just plain idiots that don't read anything more than the headline and post a comment on it lol they make me wonder at times .

  • mixhawkeye

    Posted Oct 3, 2007 2:30 am PT

    Wow. So many stupid people need to take reading comprehension classes. IT CLEARLY SAYS BUNGIE ISNT LEAVING MICROSOFT OR TAKING THE HALO BRAND NAME WITH THEM! STOP WITH THE RETARDED COMMENTS!

  • JasonQ87

    Posted Oct 3, 2007 2:18 am PT

    Looks like XBox 360 is going to be dead now without Bungie. NO, wait, it already was.

  • zeus_gb

    Posted Oct 3, 2007 12:54 am PT

    I don't care either way as long as they keep making good games and maybe some PC games.

  • zeus_gb

    Posted Oct 3, 2007 12:52 am PT

    I don't care either way just as long as they keep making good games and maybe release a few PC games.

  • flackstone

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 10:39 pm PT

    game spot really does have to to a better job at what there saying ZOMG THERE IS LED PAINT IN THE HALO 3 CD CASE. Yea we heard it on the blogs some guy posted it his name was 15yearsonylover.

  • Dreski83

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 10:35 pm PT

    I have to say thats pretty interesting stuff... and in all respects, I wouldn't be absolutely surprised either!
    Since Halo reached its peak it only makes sense to jump ship before Microsoft squeezes anything more from this dry rag, that is if the people at Bungie truly feel that way. I see it as a win win operation. Bungie makes great content, Microsoft helps advertise it to the world, and everyone gets rich. If something fishy was going on between the 2, at least Bungie is sure to make waves if they did branch off else where... maybe they'll go back to making stuff like Marathon

  • flackstone

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 10:33 pm PT

    Are u guys stupid ms owns bugie how is it possible they can leave

  • berkner_ram77

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 10:19 pm PT

    Why would bungie EVER leave? All they have to do now is focus on making games, while Microsoft does just about EVERYTHING else.

  • HAVOK1991

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 7:37 pm PT

    Master_Spoon
    Microsoft would have to sell the shares of Bungie for others to buy them.

  • master_spoon

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 7:22 pm PT

    See the new story at n4g.com Now (it is said) Bungie is leaving, as their shareholders are buying out Microsofts stake in Bungie. However Bungie will be required to give Microsoft the first bid on any game developed. At first I thought this whole story was made up garbage, but as the day has gone on and the story developed, now I am not so sure.

  • coldare10

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 6:54 pm PT

    Bungie is not dumn enought to leave a huge pile of money that is being made by halo 3. Microsoft helped make is so that Halo 3 is soo great. and on that note, i need a xbox 360.

  • generalmyke74

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 6:32 pm PT

    see i knew this was a lie because microsoft owns bungie they own that whole studio so how is their "own" studio going to leave when microsoft has all the rights to it now all the staff can leave but not the studio this is like saying Windows vista is now working with Ps3 to beat out Linux see stupidity.

    i didnt even read whole post because i knew from the headline of this article

  • HAVOK1991

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 6:24 pm PT

    The stupidty of the comments on this is ridiculous. Use your common sense. Bungie CAN NOT leave Microsoft. Bungie is basicly Microsoft's property.

    The only way they can leave is if Microsoft sells them which is extremely unlikely with the popularity of Halo and how much more money they can make from it.

  • Thrall-3-20

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 6:23 pm PT

    I hope this isen't true... If Bungie leaves Microsoft... then they aren't forced to make games on the 360... THUS all could be lost for the xbox 360. Though there are many other great games out there... non can compar to Bungies FPS games... I hope this isen't true.

  • somedude242

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 5:58 pm PT

    it might actually be true because my uncle was over my house yesterday and he saw the halo 3 case and he said:

    "did you know that bungie have left microsoft"
    and i said:
    "what thats crazy!"
    and he said he saw it in the newspaper and my uncles and teacher and knows alot and he is barely wrong so i kinda believe him BUT i think it would be stupid if bungie leave microsoft BECAUSE they would have more funds to work with (coz microsoft is really fricken rich i.e. bill gates) and because if they leave microsoft then we can say goodbye to halo 4 (it prob isn't gonna happen but fingers crossed about halo 4) because if they do make halo 4 microsoft will get pissed and the game wouldn't be that good because they wouldn't have much funds for new equipment and yeah....

    btw HALO 3 RULES!! and so does GEARS OF WAR!!! and VARIOUS OTHER GAMES!!!!

  • gamerkid99

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 5:56 pm PT

    Halo PS3...don't sound nice...
    if Bungie were to make a PS3 game it should be fresh and new

  • Taegre

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 5:28 pm PT

    "Metcalf has now responded to GameSpot, and asserted his source is very close to Bungie--about as close as one could be without actually working there."

    So the guy who writes the article then goes to Gamespot and confirms that his source isn't even an employee of Bungie, but is still every bit as trustowrthy? Sounds like your average playground rumor to me.

  • ctg867

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 5:06 pm PT

    Interesting. I doubt it'll happen but it's very interesting.

    Second thought, I don't care. I just want my path for Halo 3 that fixes the mass amounts things wrong with the game. I love it, but the game is broke.

  • IVIic

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 5:05 pm PT

    "joeyfine

    does it matter? make the halo series multi-platform."

    It never surprises me how badly people wish for something so absurd... like did you ever think: "Why would microsoft give away their prize jewel (halo) to other platforms other than Xbox and PC (both MS owned)????" Like comon people stop smoking and get some clear thoughts running through your mind.

  • axia_777

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 4:44 pm PT

    "merriman56

    halo 3 for PS3?"

    Um, NO.

  • merriman56

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 4:35 pm PT

    halo 3 for PS3?

  • aRE-you-AFraid

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 4:26 pm PT

    Wow, that's alright though, I got my Halo 3. Bungie can do whatever it wants now.

  • axia_777

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 3:47 pm PT

    This happened after Halo 1 and Halo 2 were finished. it is NORMAL for people who work in the Video Games industry to move from company to company. It is to bad for Bungie as a lot of great talent might leave. It is great for all the other companies that hire said talent. But then again, Bungie could just go and hire new talent, like ME! I hope people do leave. I will apply when they do. It would be awesome to be part of the next project that Bungie makes.

  • xspawn69

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 3:42 pm PT

    Ok guys... Bungie is not leaving Microsoft. I'll make it simple for you. For a company to put themselves up for sale, it has to be voted by a majority of the shareholders. Bungie is a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft (meaning, Microsoft is the ONLY shareholder). For Bungie to leave, Microsoft, the only shareholder, would have to vote for Bungie to leave Microsoft. Not happening.

  • SilentHillX

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 3:42 pm PT

    LOL Did I hear someone say that most past Bungie-Developed games were good? LOL I guess this person has not played Oni...

    Out of my PS2 Library of 121 games, Id have to say that Oni is the only one im ashamed to admit I actually own...

  • mrfrieze

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 3:27 pm PT

    I can belive you people think halo 2 was good. It was a big let down with all the hype,. story was bad, and they messed up the multi player. Halo 3 is better but still not what one was. It's they hype of one the made the next to sell like it did.

  • KillerFPS

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 3:24 pm PT

    Well its no secret that Microsoft would be thrilled if Bungie decided to make Halo games for all eternity but I think that Halo Wars + Peter Jackson's Halo (tentetive title) will sell quite well to the Halo crowd (myself included) and I'm sure Microsoft would permit Bungie to at least try a new IP and see how it goes. I mean one could say that Bungie single-handedly made the Xbox brand successful.

  • Crush_Project

    Posted Oct 2, 2007 3:23 pm PT

    what good games? bungie hasnt put out anything decent since Marathon. Its all overhyped games that never actually include anything new to the fps genre at all.

    Its just cookie cutter trash, put out by a cookie cutter mega corp.

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