Update: Bungie release their first statement, link after the jump.
We just received a link to an Activision investor release and I can’t really believe what I am seeing.
Activision/Blizzard and Bungie have announced a 10 year exclusive, worldwide agreement. Now, I don’t want to be one to judge or anything, but what in the hell were they thinking.
Who in their right mind signs a 10 year deal with a company that is currently being accused of withholding pay from Infinity Ward as well as holding employees’ bonuses random until the next big cash cow is developed?
More after the jump.
Update: Bungie release first statement – G4
Ok, so I am probably being a little unfair towards Activision, but… am I? These guys are becoming infamous for over saturating the markets of every popular franchise that they get their hands on, to the point of its destruction.
The good news is that thanks to Activision’s outlook on profits, we can be pretty much 100% sure that this means that all of the Bungie games for the next ten years are going to be multiplatform (it actually states it in the release), and probably have their logos on lunchboxes too.
I hope that this works out well for Bungie, they are a good team and I would hate to see something like the Infinity Ward debacle happen to them as well. Here’s hoping for the best.
Last Updated: April 29, 2010
Geoff
April 29, 2010 at 14:48
Thing is that this is just the sort of deal that Infinity Ward wanted – where they were essentially independent and free to create – and keep the rights to – their own IP’s.
Puppystuffer
April 29, 2010 at 14:59
Yeah it’s just a “publishing deal” and infact besides EA I don’t think there is another company out there with activisions reach and experience when it comes to this so, actually this is good news for Bungie and fans should be happy.
uberutang
April 29, 2010 at 14:59
OMW… Makes me Sad, but then going from MS to Activision… Mmmm, could be worse, they could be back with Apple!
Q121
April 29, 2010 at 15:15
Does this mean i can happily get a PS3 knowing that the next halo will be on ps as well 🙂 haha :pirate:
Booby Kotick
April 29, 2010 at 15:18
Please no… Please no :pinch:
Fox1
April 29, 2010 at 15:19
LOL, No :tongue:
riezo
April 29, 2010 at 15:21
Not likely, Halo is owned by Microsoft. All this means is no more Bungie Halo’s.
Damn Activisions pimp hand just keeps getting stronger and stronger. I still think its an attempt to “show” Infinity Ward who’s boss, and who better to use as a whore than the devs of one of the worls most popular FPS devs.
Bobby Kotick thinks you should play Call of Halo every year
April 29, 2010 at 15:16
When I saw the headline my first thought was “Oh hell… annual Halo updates? Nooooooooooo!!” I swear I almost spilled my coffee on my laptop. My hand is still shaking. 😮
uberutang
April 29, 2010 at 15:20
MS owns the Halo IP, so they will get another studio to continue with that.
I am hoping for Gearbox…
Geoff
April 29, 2010 at 22:56
Isn’t that what 343 Industries was created for?
riezo
April 29, 2010 at 15:27
Maybe Activision could get Bungie to make a Spiderman game that’s actually fun.
Or maybe we will see Call Of Duty being made by them and Treyarch.
Puppystuffer
April 29, 2010 at 15:31
Activision is not going to get Bungie to make anything According to the official press release, “Under the terms of the agreement, Activision will have exclusive, worldwide rights to publish and distribute all future Bungie games based on the new intellectual property on multiple platforms and devices. Bungie remains an independent company and will continue to own their intellectual property.” From the sound of it, Activision gets to publishing rights to one IP on multiple platforms. This agreement certainly does not mean that Bungie is part of Activision.
Bobby Kotick thinks he has it
April 29, 2010 at 16:48
I was just sipping another cup of coffee, when the thought hit me, like a F-U delivered by John Cena (shutup! Wrestling is still real to me). Bungie is going to do Call of Duty Future Warfare! We all knew it was coming, and since Bungie has done exceptionally well with Halo. It makes sense that Activision wouldn’t want to rock the boat too much with a completely new IP, and what better company to milk the Call of Duty series further than Bungie. :cheerful: 😉
Gavin Mannion
April 29, 2010 at 21:29
Wow I seriosuly never saw this coming, I can understand that a company gets bored working on the same IP all the time but it’s a hell of a risk moving away from such a comfortable position like they have at Microsoft