Master Chief really is leaving Microsoft … sort of
The rumors circulating around the Tubes are true. Microsoft announced today that Bungie Studios, creators of the Halo console FPS franchise, will be spun off into its own company.
Microsoft will keep an equity interest in Bungie, and continue to publish Bungie games – including the Halo titles, to which Microsoft owns the rights.
The Redmond-based software leviathan acquired Bungie in 2000.
Shane Kim, Microsoft Game Studios:
Our collaboration with Bungie has resulted in Halo becoming an enduring mainstream hit. 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.
The new relationship releases Bungie from the requirement to produce games only for the Xbox and Windows.
5. October 2007 at 1:29 pm :
I love how you just copy things from Destructoid and put them here.
5. October 2007 at 3:37 pm :
So who owns the rights on Halo. Will Bungie be able to put the game on other systems?
5. October 2007 at 5:09 pm :
The header’s a bit misleading…
Bungie is leaving, yes but the Halo IP is still well within Microsoft’s control so you won’t be seeing a PS3 Port of Halo 3 anytime soon.
So Master Chief is still with Bill Gates for now.
7. October 2007 at 1:09 am :
Marathon Infinity 2?