On March 31, 2012, Bungie Studios, the developer of the Halo franchise, will fully transfer ownership of the sci-fi shooter series to Microsoft. The final day of the Bungie era of Halo is March 31.
Over the summer, when Microsoft’s new Halo studio 343 Industries started exerting more authority over the brand, Bungie’s departure from Halo officially began. On March 31, Bungie will totally cede control of all online Halo services to 343 Industries, according to a recent article on Bungie.net.
The Birth of Halo:
Before delving into why Bungie decided to part ways with Halo, it’s crucial to understand the origins of the franchise. Bungie, a renowned video game developer, introduced Halo: Combat Evolved in 2001, exclusively for the Xbox console.
The game’s groundbreaking combination of first-person shooter gameplay, engaging storyline, and vibrant sci-fi universe captured the hearts of gamers worldwide.
The success of Halo: Combat Evolved catapulted the franchise to stardom, and Bungie continued to develop subsequent titles in the series. Halo 2, Halo 3, and other installments solidified Halo’s place in gaming history.
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Bungie Won’t Be Able To Host New User-Generated Assets
As a result, Bungie won’t be able to host new user-generated assets after that date, update player and game statistics, or manage the Bungie Pro subscription service. The business stated that this decision will have an impact on all Halo games produced by Bungie.
Nevertheless, Bungie stated that “all existing historical Halo data” will be preserved on Bungie.net for as long as the Internet is accessible and the business’s data storage systems are still working. Microsoft and 343 Industries will manage all future Halo support through Halo Waypoint, the all-Halo portal that debuted in 2009.
Currently Known Only By The Code Name “Tiger.”
Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, a direct successor to 2007’s Halo 3, was made available in November by 343 Industries, which is also now working on Halo 4. This holiday season, the new Master Chief game is scheduled for release.
As part of a new 10-year partnership, Activision will publish Bungie’s upcoming game. The unidentified game is under development for several platforms, will utilise a brand-new engine, and is currently known only by the code name “Tiger.”
As to why Bungie Sold Halo
Following the release of Halo 3, Bungie made the announcement that they would be leaving Microsoft and starting their own business. Even though Bungie contributed to the creation of several Halo games, including ODST and Reach, Microsoft has sole ownership of the game’s rights.
Despite the company’s decision to cancel the agreement with Microsoft, the tech giant established an own branch called 343 Industries to continue working on Halo. Former Bungie employee Frank O’Connor has been working as the creative director for 343 Industries.
Microsoft had also revealed that Xbox Live would serve as the main centre for all halo content along with the launch of 343 Industries. Since that time, 343 Industries has been a significant driving factor behind the Halo series.
Halo 4, The Company’s Debut Game
Halo 4, the company’s debut game, had been launched on November 6, 2012. What game series owns bungie? The immense stable of games it has, From the call of duty series to a handfull of cash -cow mobile titles, Is part of what made Microsoft’s purchase of activision-blizzard such a big deal.
The Sony-Bungie deal, which appears to be entirely about destiny, is an exception to this rule. Bungi previously created the Myth Strategy Series and the PlayStation Action Game Oni, but Take-two interractive, the publisher of the Grand Theft Auto Series, now owns the rights to both series.
Bungie’s Partnership with Microsoft
Bungie’s collaboration with Microsoft played a pivotal role in the development and success of the Halo franchise. The studio signed an exclusive publishing agreement with Microsoft Game Studios, which allowed Halo games to be exclusive to the Xbox platform.
This partnership, while beneficial for both parties, also had certain limitations for Bungie. Over time, Bungie started to seek creative freedom and new opportunities. The studio aimed to explore other game genres and expand its horizons beyond the Halo universe.
However, the contractual obligations with Microsoft limited their ability to do so. These constraints led to discussions within Bungie about the future of the franchise and their involvement in it.
The Decision to Hand Over Halo
Bungie’s decision to sell Halo to 343 Industries was not solely driven by a desire for creative freedom. Several factors contributed to this pivotal moment:
- Creative Exhaustion: After more than a decade of developing Halo titles, Bungie felt creatively exhausted and sought new challenges.
- Resource Reallocation: Bungie wanted to shift its focus towards new projects and IPs, including the Destiny franchise, which they believed had immense potential.
- Franchise Stewardship: Bungie wanted to ensure that Halo would continue to thrive under capable hands. 343 Industries, being a subsidiary of Microsoft, was deemed a suitable choice to carry on the legacy.
- Long-Term Planning: Bungie believed that this decision would pave the way for the franchise’s long-term success, as 343 Industries could provide ongoing support and development.
Impact on the Halo Franchise
The transfer of Halo to 343 Industries marked a new chapter in the franchise’s history. While Bungie’s departure left fans with mixed feelings, 343 Industries took on the responsibility of nurturing and evolving the beloved universe.
Under 343 Industries’ guidance, Halo continued to thrive, with the release of titles like Halo 4, Halo 5: Guardians, and Halo: The Master Chief Collection. These games aimed to uphold the legacy of the franchise while introducing fresh elements to the gameplay and storytelling.
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Final Words
BUNGIE is still the owner of the marathon FPS Series Rights. A revival seems a little Unlikely Considering That the Developer Is Already Maintaining One Extremely Popular Shooter Series.
Additionally, BUNGIE is currently working on a new, non-destiny game that it says will release prior to 2025. That is all Bungie has revealed so far, but employment listings and a trademark filing hint at a brand-new, joyful loot game that may be called Matter.
