Sexy Rumor; Bungie leaving MS.

[Madrun Badrun]

A friend of mine who has someone close that works at Bungie has just been dying to tell me a secret about their future. Since the NDA officially expire today the sent me and email with the details. I have full faith in this contact.

The email is as follows :

"So heres my big secret. You should google Bungie + Microsoft + separation this week.
You know that big ol BILLION dollar franchise Bungie has created for Microsoft, to show their appreciate Microsoft is letting Bungie leave. Of course Microsoft gets to keep all rights to the Halo franchise, but as today Bungie no longer part of Microsoft. Ask anyone who works there to search the global address book, they're no longer in there. Microsoft was supposed to release the press release today but if they wait till the 10/6 the impact wont effect the quarterly results. However today is the actual official date and the day the NDAs expire, however you still didn't hear this from me."

"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 they are with the profits (comparable to the rest of the industry). So as of today they are their own independent entity. They'll probably make Halo 4 for Microsoft, however hey are also free to create new intellectual properties for whatever system they want. (Even though they prefer the xbox platform)"

"What a way to say thank you."


http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/d...ves/122799.asp

[demi]

[Phoenix Dark]

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

If true, wow. Seems like MS forgot who the bread winner in the family was. Bungie has more than earned the right to do what they want - they aren't a fuck up like Rare, and they've created the only defining Xbox franchise. MS should have been content with a prequel or whatever, maybe Halo 4; I saw what happens at the end of Halo 3 and it leaves the door open. Bungie may prove to be a one hit wonder in the coming years, but I certainly wouldn't risk it

Master Chief Kart Racing (developed by Rare) anyone?

[Madrun Badrun]

I'm pretty sure companies don't often times just give up divisions they one hundred percent own.

Don't ruin the fun.  The artical said it was a very big thank you!

[Madrun Badrun]

hey guys thanks for all the hard work, we're going to let you and your multi, multi, multi, multi million dollar (even without the halo brand) division go!

Could it be that they are allowing Bungie to buy themselves back instead of facing a talent exodus and not getting any money form it?

My guess if this is anything it will be a breakaway faction type thing like wideload games. 

spoiler (click to show/hide)

If so I really wont care.

[close]

[Mupepe]

hey guys thanks for all the hard work, we're going to let you and your multi, multi, multi, multi million dollar (even without the halo brand) division go!

Could it be that they are allowing Bungie to buy themselves back instead of facing a talent exodus and not getting any money form it?

My guess if this is anything it will be a breakaway faction type thing like wideload games. 

spoiler (click to show/hide)

If so I really wont care.

[close]

Most of the original Halo talent has already left anyways

[y2kev]

Please. Like the people that identify with Halo (meaning the 6 million people that buy it) know who Bungie is or care if Bungie was gone.

Microsoft shouldn't let Bungie go because they're a good team, but, seriously, if MS keeps the name, they probably don't give a shit.

I'd believe that they're about to lose a lot of talent anyway. Always happens after a game ships.

[brawndolicious]

so who do they sell bungie to?

[Mupepe]

unf unf

[Ichirou]

Yeah, I don't believe this.

[brawndolicious]

I can tell you one thing, Bungie left GAF!!
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=195114

http://www.firstinhell.com/omglol.JPG

[The Fake Shemp]

There's obviously something going on!

[Ichirou]

Does GAF really have a pro-Sony agenda?  I don't think so...

[The Fake Shemp]

There's obviously some credibility to the rumors due to the silence from active Bungie employees on the forum and the canned response from Microsoft (this was the giveaway).  I doubt Bungie is leaving and will never make 360 games again, but something is going on.

[Vizzys]

Does GAF really have a pro-Sony agenda?  I don't think so...

uh, yeah

[Ichirou]

Does GAF really have a pro-Sony agenda?  I don't think so...

uh, yeah

NO WAI

[Vizzys]

Does GAF really have a pro-Sony agenda?  I don't think so...

uh, yeah

NO WAI

YES WAI

[The Fake Shemp]

What is the canned response from MS? Are you referring to che (who is likely in on the whole thing).

From 1UP:

"To your question, there's been no such announcement. We can't comment further." -- Microsoft representative #1

"There's been no such announcement. We continue to celebrate the tremendous success of the global phenomenon that is Halo 3." -- Microsoft representative #2

... This is a fancy way of saying that there's some truth to it and they're waiting for some unknown, specific reason to divulge information at a later point.  If it was a lie, Microsoft would give the canned, "We do not comment on rumors and blah blah!" response or a flat out denial.

[Ichirou]

 

[The Fake Shemp]

IGN also reported on it too.

And I don't think 1UP would be apart of some elaborate forum ruse.  It is the Internet arm of the largest videogame magazine and its news is expected to be somewhat reputable.  Che is irrelevant to this matter, by the way.

[The Fake Shemp]

I'm just saying.

Will Bungie depart Microsoft's Redmond-based campus in large trailers with middle fingers spray-painted on the sides?  Probably not.  Is there a chance that Bungie will wiggle their way out of the Halo-only insanity that comes with being an established first-party?  Perhaps.  Something is going on behind the scenes, from those two PR quotes that much is obvious.

[Ichirou]

I'm just saying.

Will Bungie depart Microsoft's Redmond-based campus in large trailers with middle fingers spray-painted on the sides?  Probably not.  Is there a chance that Bungie will wiggle their way out of the Halo-only insanity that comes with being an established first-party?  Perhaps.  Something is going on behind the scenes, from those two PR quotes that much is obvious.

I honestly don't believe it.  It just sounds like so much BS...I'm sure MS would let Bungie develop another IP, hoping to strike it big like they did with Halo.  I just can't see the folks at Bungie leaving MS and all the advantages it offers, behind.

[The Fake Shemp]

Yeah, but "Raise Bungie insanely high and pretend it's true" also could be Evilore saying he knows Bungie is fucking with him and is just playing along. Element works at Bungie right? Or he's at MGS at least. Che is another MGS guy commenting in the thread, and there are a couple of other people saying "Wait until Wednesday for big news regarding MGS which will be good for all of us." I think they're building up a fake megaton to take some of the shine off NeoGAF, personally, and having major news sites pick up on it was the plan from the very beginning.

I think this is sillier than the rumors.

[Madrun Badrun]

Yeah, but "Raise Bungie insanely high and pretend it's true" also could be Evilore saying he knows Bungie is fucking with him and is just playing along. Element works at Bungie right? Or he's at MGS at least. Che is another MGS guy commenting in the thread, and there are a couple of other people saying "Wait until Wednesday for big news regarding MGS which will be good for all of us." I think they're building up a fake megaton to take some of the shine off NeoGAF, personally, and having major news sites pick up on it was the plan from the very beginning.

I think this is sillier than the rumors.

I agree.  Even if its a joke, now isn't the time to be playing it with MS financial reports coming up.  I could see a joke say long after halo 3 talk has died and their a ways off from their next game, to try and get their name back out there but even then I doubt they would pull a joke that has major news sites and PR people in on it. 

[The Fake Shemp]

Then you are not thinking hardly enough!

[bud]

ms is pretty stupid if they let these guys go. if they want to make something else, then let them. they've proven that they can make good games--the three games are pretty much as aaa as they come as evidenced by the overwhelmingly positive reviews, and they've sold like a quatrillion copies--and without halo, ms would've never sold the amount of consoles they have over the years.

edit: i just noticed that my posts gain a lot more awesomeness because of my avatar.

[Eduardo24]

Luke and Stinkles ALWAYS comment on rumors with sarcastics posts but they haven´t said anything.  Something is going on.

[Madrun Badrun]

A little more info from teamxbox

"By now, you must have heard the rumor of Bungie leaving Microsoft that started at 8Bit Joystick.com. Well, we can't provide further info now (we'd put our sources in trouble) but we're going to tell you that it is more complex than simply Bungie leaving Microsoft or Microsoft letting Bungie go.

There will be an official announcement this week, definitely before October 12th... "

http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/14693/Rumor-Bungie-Is-Leaving-Microsoft/ 

[hyp]

so the official announcement is tomorrow, right?  spill the fucking beans already... what's with this media build up bullshit?

[Mupepe]

what the fuck is so important about October 12th?  some big sony thing and now this.  I HATE OCTOBER 12TH AND IMMA SHIT ON IT'S BED

[Mr. Gundam]

what the fuck is so important about October 12th?  some big sony thing and now this.  I HATE OCTOBER 12TH AND IMMA SHIT ON IT'S BED

Huh? What's Sony doing on October 12th? Is that the day the new PS3 model is shown off or something?

[Madrun Badrun]

what the fuck is so important about October 12th?  some big sony thing and now this.  I HATE OCTOBER 12TH AND IMMA SHIT ON IT'S BED

whhoo-oh  Bungie to go with sony!? 

spoiler (click to show/hide)

[close]

[Mupepe]

what the fuck is so important about October 12th?  some big sony thing and now this.  I HATE OCTOBER 12TH AND IMMA SHIT ON IT'S BED

Huh? What's Sony doing on October 12th? Is that the day the new PS3 model is shown off or something?

yeah.  that's what everyone is assuming.  the announcement is reportedly code named big bang or some shit within sony so it's supposed to be huge.

[Mupepe]

lolol

[Mr. Gundam]

PIMPS AT SEA!!! PIMPS AT SEA!!! PIMPS AT SEA!!!

[hyp]

 

if true, can't wait to see the first non-halo bungie game!

[Robo]

doki doki mahou grunt announced!!!!!

[Mr. Gundam]

if true, can't wait to see the first non-halo bungie game!

Uh, there are lots of non-Halo Bungie titles...

Hey Bungie. It's time to make Pimps at Sea a reality.

[Madrun Badrun]

Could it be that they are allowing Bungie to buy themselves back instead of facing a talent exodus and not getting any money form it?

MANGOD!

[hyp]

if true, can't wait to see the first non-halo bungie game!

Uh, there are lots of non-Halo Bungie titles...

Hey Bungie. It's time to make Pimps at Sea a reality.

on the xbox platform?  (guess i should have specified) marathon XBLA doesn't count.

[Madrun Badrun]

I wonder how much bigger MS cut of Halo 3 were because of deal. 

[etiolate]

this thread just made me realize that the forums are infested with MS employees

[Oblivion]

What the fuck? They actually bought themselves out?

[Mr. Gundam]

this thread just made me realize that the forums are infested with MS employees

But, none of them have posted in this thread.

[Madrun Badrun]

this thread just made me realize that the forums are infested with MS employees

But, none of them have posted in this thread.

I don't think maf, drinky or whiteman are in the games devision, so i don't think it really matters. 

[etiolate]

this thread just made me realize that the forums are infested with MS employees

This thread?  Them admitting to it wasn't your first clue?

I don't read GAF threads of stuff I have no interest in, so I haven't kept up with all the MS people there.

[T234]

Lemme give you a little wisdom, most people who work on the MONEYMAKING side of Mr. Softee probably don't give NEARLY as much of a shit as you think they do about how things are on the games side as they do about how things are elsewhere in the company, and are damn sure not gonna pimp the xbox on a forum for any reason other than how good it is (and it is pretty good, other than the network card in my 360 being shot).

[y2kev]

Tensions must be high between the two. To BUY YOURSELF OUT to avoid making halo 4 

[drohne]

so it seems like there's actually something to this? shocking blunder on microsoft's part if they've managed to alienate bungie. xbox would've been stillborn without halo.

[Ichirou]

I honestly thought this was total BS. 

[Phoenix Dark]

Bungie is having a Dave Chapelle moment.

MS=Comedy Central 

[The Fake Shemp]

I told you all.

[Madrun Badrun]

I told you all.

NO I DID!   

[Madrun Badrun]

Could it be that they are allowing Bungie to buy themselves back instead of facing a talent exodus and not getting any money form it?

MANGOD!

MANGOD!  MANGOD!!!

[Van Cruncheon]

Please anticipate Windows Server 2008 (tm Microsoft) for your enterprise computing needs; also, look for Windows Home Server (tm Microsoft), with streamlined roles specific to personal home deployment

[bud]

microlol.

[MrAngryFace]

Windows Server 2008 is going to rock you.

[hyp]

can someone get me a discount on a microsoft surface?   

[Mupepe]

my nicca's was hungry

[hyp]

finally, the fucking beans have spilled.

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/oct07/10-05BungieEvolvesPR.mspx

REDMOND, Wash. — Oct. 5, 2007 — Microsoft Corp. today announced a plan for Bungie Studios, the developers of the “Halo®” franchise, to embark on a path to become an independent company. Microsoft will retain an equity interest in Bungie, at the same time continuing its long-standing publishing agreement between Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie for the Microsoft-owned “Halo” intellectual property as well as other future properties developed by Bungie.

The critically acclaimed Xbox 360®-exclusive “Halo 3” achieved $300 million in global sales in its first week. Released on Tuesday, Sept. 25, “Halo 3” is the fastest-selling video game ever and already one of the most successful entertainment properties in history.

“Our collaboration with Bungie has resulted in ‘Halo’ becoming an enduring mainstream hit,” said Shane Kim, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios. “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.”

“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® 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.”