Head of Xbox Phil Spencer has been talking to Axios about Bungie's split from Microsoft back in 2007, admitting that based on how Xbox operates today, he believes Microsoft could have held onto the Destiny and former Halo developer.
"We've learned a lot", Spencer told the outlet about Bungie's history with Xbox. He pointed out that the developer had big ambitions and was very aware that "Microsoft benefited more than Bungie did from the success of Halo".
“If you're saying, ‘Hey, I think I've got another one of those in me. I want to really take another chance,’ I can understand the allure of doing that as an independent company.”
There were rumours last year that Xbox had been in repeated talks to acquire Bungie once again, with suggestions that the price was too high and the talks therefore stalled, but Bungie CEO Pete Parsons later outright denied this.
It's interesting to think what Xbox would have looked like in today's world if Bungie had remained as part of Xbox Game Studios, but ultimately it wasn't meant to be. Then again, you never know what the future holds...
What are your thoughts on all of this? Let us know down in the comments section below.
[source axios.com]
Comments 19
Yeah, but the Bungie of today aren't worth holding on to.
Would have been interesting if Bungie had stayed where Halo would have been today.
Definitely amusing seeing news like this on the heels of Halo's current state. Sounds almost like he regrets that Microsoft let them loose back in the day.
Willing to bet lot of Bungie leaving had lot to do with Don Mattrick.
Goodness that guy was garbage.
Also that halo MMO Bungie wanted to do? They did complete it. The game is called destiny.
If can still find screenshots online of halo MMO will see they honestly just reskined the game.
Tbh Im glad bungie went their seperate ways as we would of never got destiny or destiny 2.
Also I'm sure Microsoft don't need bungie for halo, they now have another company that's would be perfect.
ID Software
Not really a fan of the never ending looter shooter thing. So even though I’ve been disappointed with the story Of Halo post Bungie (though some aspects are growing on me) at least we’re getting a story still, and the universe is expanding. Destiny’s story was basically not even there. If that formula had been used for Halo I would have fallen off way sooner, and wouldn’t be here excited to try Halo Infinite.
Bungie are just not the same anymore since they split from Microsoft so it’s no real loss not having them part of Xbox Game Studios. But if they had still remained then I bet they would of still remained the old Bungie we knew from the first Halo games. Nevertheless I’m happy with what 343i have been doing with Infinite and can’t wait to get into the campaign on Wednesday night.
It would b interesting for Bungie to come back to Microsoft. Games like Destiny seem perfect for their Game Pass model and I think with the support of Microsoft too, they can get back to their former Glory.
Not saying they should come back for 'Halo's' sake but having them in the network certainly wouldn't hurt. I'm sure they have other creative ideas that could be realised with the right support...
@Dezzy70 they left because they didn't want to keep working on Halo.
Maybe, after a ten year break, they would be releasing Halo 4 now.
@Magabro
Maybe true but during that 10 year break they may have produced another winning exclusive to Xbox.
Then gone back and made Halo 4 to great and higher accomplishment.
Who knows 😊
@Magabro They left because they wanted their own independence but then signed with Activision…🤔 I suppose now they really have their independence now that they have split with Activision.
@BAMozzy I agree Destiny would be perfect for Game Pass and with the rumours about Microsoft wanting to acquire Bungie again but talks not going ahead because Bungie’s asking price is too high, if true why would money be an issue? It would be massive if MS had Bungie with Xbox Game Studios again.
But as I said in my earlier comment, Bungie are just not the same anymore since a lot of key people have left who were involved in the first few Halo games. 343i look like they are starting to show promise with Infinite and at this moment in time, would prefer they were working on the Halo franchise rather the current Bungie team.
Lol I get the feeling Microsoft may get another chance...
I don't know. bungie has just been overly disappointing the past decade to me. i'm not into the whole "endless paid expansions then it get vaulted" thing.
I don't think i'd want current bungie to be dealing with halo. Thats painful as heck to say but they're just not the same people in that studio now. completely different group.
Bungee lost me with Destiny 2. It started strong but i don’t have enough hours to dedicate to a game that erases its own paid DLC.
@Nalverus One has to wonder how much influence Activision had in the really negative aspects of the Destiny franchise such as what you mentioned.
Ms should never have let them go , I’d imagine the staff were sick of the idea of drawing halo stuff for ever - they should have encouraged bungie to work on new projects and supported them while resting or moving halo as they have done to a new studio - in the early days of Xbox Bungie meant something
Consider what the Halo series might have been if Bungie had been in charge? What does that look like, nobody knows, since there are far too many variables that influence the outcome of a game. A group of developers can't make decisions without the approval of the publisher footing the bill. Bungie is now largely self-sufficient, destiny has been a huge success but like any business, it still needs to make a profit and Bungie are not free to "creatively express" without first addressing the F2P drive add on sales elephant in the room. Business suits create and direct franchises, and then the development team is given creative freedom to work within the parameters set by the "suits." One thing is for sure, a MS with Bungie is better then without. I agree it was a mistake to let them go, I expect the price to buy bungie now is beyond even MS as a profitable business model.
@Richnj Destiny is better than Halo 4 and Halo 5.
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