Topic: More big Activision News (Bungie)

[sirean_syan]

Bungie signs ten year deal with Activision.

Well, that was unexpected. I had forgotten that Bungie wasn't a first party developer for a couple years now. Idol and I were actually talking about how Bungie must feel like they're being stifled with Microsoft as they have be unable to produce anything other than Halo at this point. We sort of figured that it would be interesting to see if there would be some sort mass exodus from the studio once Reach was finished, but this pretty much turns that idea on it's head. Why would a company who obviously wants to branch out a little run to a producer who has been fucking over developers and running franchises into the ground? Of course, Bungie has sort of thrived on playing turncoat, but they did it when Microsoft was wooing developers and showing no reason that they would treat them poorly (which they really didn't). At least it seemed like Microsoft would treat a developer nice so long as Bungie would produce the money makers; Activision can't even say that with their big franchises.

Still, crazy gaming news.

[idolminds]

Wow, that was unexpected.

From the some of these news stories, it sounds like they got a Activision/Blizzard or Valve/EA deal: hands off, just publish. Though while Bungie owns the IP, it looks like Activision can go and use it multiplatform.

We'll see how this works out for them.

[Pugnate]

Wow, that was unexpected.

[scottws]

So I guess we can expect to see a Halo-like game and ten crappy sequels in the next year and a half?

[Xessive]

Unexpected but admirable. It's about time Bungie steps out from Microsoft's shadow. Hopefully they'll make (or remake) something great. A new Marathon maybe?

[MysterD]

I'm surprise companies want to sign w/ Acti, after the Infinity Ward insanity.

[gpw11]

I'm surprise companies want to sign w/ Acti, after the Infinity Ward insanity.

I imagine it's a very different sort of agreement.  Bungie is established, have leverage, and are still independent.  Infinity Ward was a start up that sold controlling shares to Activision.  In short, the agreement with Bungie is probably more of a partnership whereas IW were purely employees of Activision.  There's a very different dynamic present.

[W7RE]

Here's an interview with a guy from Bungie

Basically, Bungie is still independently owned and operated, they have 100% ownership of any IP they create, and can make whatever they want. Activision has no control, just gets to publish their stuff. These are all the freedoms IW wanted but Activision refused to give them. Since Bungie already has them, the IW situation (hopefully) can't happen to Bungie.

[MysterD]

Hmmmm....
GameSpot thinks from Bungie's job-listings, they might be working on an Action-RPG (a la Mass Effect 2).

[MysterD]

GameSpot -> Bungie's next game will have a brand new engine entirely.