Tieno
Member
Seeing as it's confirmed, it's better to create a new thread instead of digging through that 4k thread of speculation.
edit 1: Stinkles's comments (and cat)
edit 2: Bungie Weekly Update (PR is below)
edit 3: Frank O' Connor/Stinkles Q&A http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=17682
Official Press Release
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 Bungies 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.
Bungie Studios will remain in its current location in Kirkland, Wash.
About Bungie Studios
Bungie Studios was founded in 1991 with two goals: to develop games that combine brilliant technology, beautiful art, intelligent stories and deep gameplay, and then sell enough of those games to achieve its real goal of total world domination. Over the past 10 years it has produced games such as the Marathon trilogy and the first two Myth games, hailed as classics by critics and gamers around the world. Bungies Halo franchise is an international award-winning action title that has grown into a global entertainment phenomenon, selling more than 14.8 million units worldwide, logging nearly 1 billion hours of multiplayer action on Xbox LIVE®, and spawning action figures, books, a graphic novel, apparel and more. Bungie released Halo 3 on Sept. 25, 2007 to universal critical acclaim, and first day US sales of over $170 million, making it the biggest opening day in entertainment history. More information on Bungie can be found at http://www.bungie.net.
About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox and Xbox 360 video game systems, the Windows® operating system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games), including such franchises as Age of Empires®, Flight Simulator and Zoo Tycoon®; Xbox and Xbox 360 (http://www.xbox.com), including such games as Gears of War and franchises such as Halo, Fable®, Project Gotham Racing® and Forza Motorsport®; and MSN® Games (http://www.games.msn.com), the official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as Bejeweled and Hexic®
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsofts corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsofts Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.
edit 1: Stinkles's comments (and cat)
edit 2: Bungie Weekly Update (PR is below)
edit 3: Frank O' Connor/Stinkles Q&A http://biz.gamedaily.com/industry/feature/?id=17682
http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12834Bungie Weekly Update said:
http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7411&Itemid=2Jason Jones said:
Official Press Release
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 Bungies 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.
Bungie Studios will remain in its current location in Kirkland, Wash.
About Bungie Studios
Bungie Studios was founded in 1991 with two goals: to develop games that combine brilliant technology, beautiful art, intelligent stories and deep gameplay, and then sell enough of those games to achieve its real goal of total world domination. Over the past 10 years it has produced games such as the Marathon trilogy and the first two Myth games, hailed as classics by critics and gamers around the world. Bungies Halo franchise is an international award-winning action title that has grown into a global entertainment phenomenon, selling more than 14.8 million units worldwide, logging nearly 1 billion hours of multiplayer action on Xbox LIVE®, and spawning action figures, books, a graphic novel, apparel and more. Bungie released Halo 3 on Sept. 25, 2007 to universal critical acclaim, and first day US sales of over $170 million, making it the biggest opening day in entertainment history. More information on Bungie can be found at http://www.bungie.net.
About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox and Xbox 360 video game systems, the Windows® operating system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games), including such franchises as Age of Empires®, Flight Simulator and Zoo Tycoon®; Xbox and Xbox 360 (http://www.xbox.com), including such games as Gears of War and franchises such as Halo, Fable®, Project Gotham Racing® and Forza Motorsport®; and MSN® Games (http://www.games.msn.com), the official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as Bejeweled and Hexic®
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsofts corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsofts Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx.
