Mill o’ Rumour: Microsoft fires Bungie?!
An anonymous e-mail to 8BitJoystick has spurred a bit of controvery, as the e-mailer claims that Microsoft has, essentially, fired Bungie.
Citing Microsoft’s distaste for how Bungie interacts with its fans and Bungie’s handling of its profits, as well as Bungie’s distaste for how Microsoft’s marketing and overall handling, the anonymous e-mailer cialms that Microsoft has allowed Bungie to become its own third-party developer, essentially leaving Microsoft.
The e-mailer goes on to say that Microsoft was to issue a press release on the matter today, but opted to wait until October 6th so that the announcement wouldn’t impact their quarterly results.
You can read the e-mail after the break.
“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.”
Personally, I’m having a very hard time buying this. Bungie essentially gives Microsoft a right to print money, and if they let the developer leave to possibly make games for other consoles, it would be a potential death blow for the 360. I think Microsoft knows that.
[8BitJoystick]
[1PStart]
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October 1st, 2007 at 7:14 pm
No way in hell.
October 2nd, 2007 at 3:48 pm
I have to say that there is no way on this Earth Microsoft would do this. If they just let Bungie go, that means that Microsoft would really only own one good developer, Lionhead Studios, and it would risk having Sony or Nintendo buy the company.