Ben-DutkaEver since Bungie split from Microsoft, they've been a highly sought-after commodity. So it's no surprise that EA and Activision are playing a little tug-of-war…
We know Activision and and the Halo developer just recently signed a big 10-year publishing deal, but that doesn't necessarily mean EA is entirely out of the picture. As CVG reports, EA made an "extensive bid" to publish Bungie's new IP, but the two couldn't quite settle on agreeable terms, so Activision got the nod. Still, EA remains "optimistic" that it can get a publishing deal with Bungie, provided the latter studio starts work on a second title. EAP head man David DeMartini said Bungie is a "fantastic studio" and they would've been a darn good fit, but the developer didn't really meet the "very specific set of criteria" EA has concerning new deals. Added DeMartini:
"We had extensive conversations with them, but could never really figure out a deal that made sense for both of us. It just didn't come to fruition. Obviously, they were able to come up with some kind of deal that made sense to Activision and made sense to Bungie and we hope they make great games. It's healthy for the industry to have big independent studios that are making great products.
I don't want to see them fail – I want them to be successful. And when they start up a second team, we'll have other discussions with them about that game as well – because they're a great studio. There are probably only 20 studios in the world that are that highest level – and they're certainly one of them."
That's high praise indeed and while Bungie will remain focused on their current project for quite some time, the idea of a Bungie title with the EA logo on the box hasn't evaporated. It also may depend on the performance of this new IP, which we know little about…
did bungie not see what happened to infinity ward? smdh!!!. and they're stuck with activision till 2020. they're goin to make a halo style COD. smh
one question. Has Bungie made any other game than Halo? All this praise seems a little OTT if it is the only game they have.
only game i remember is that game oni on ps2. it was a launch game
They had a pretty good game called Myth for the PC way back. One of their first games. It was actually good.
Years ago they made an FPS for the Macs called "Marathon" as well as a few sequels. At the print shop I worked at we had some Macs networked and played it on our lunch breaks. It was a pretty fun game.
"20 studios around that highest level"… hmm… I don't think I can name them all:
-Square Enix
-Kojima Productions
-Naughty Dog
-Santa Monica
and… that's it. Can't think of the rest.
insomniac, sucker punch, polyphony digital, quantic dream, media molecule just to name a few
Dont' forget Sony's own…Liverpool, London and StudioJapan
Didn't Naughty dog make Crash I hope they come back with that game. but maybe I'm asking for to much, I hope not.
Lol when I read Naughty dog I thought about that game called Naughhty bear…
LV5
Where's the love for Santa Monica?
ah, you did name Santa Monica, my bad.
Rockstar, 2K, From Software, Bioware, Bethesda, Rocksteady (If Batman: AA wasn't a fluke), Remedy
There is 20 after what you guys named off too. Seems like there should be more..
So let me get this straight….Bungie is going to start up a "second team" and EA expects to be bidding for the rights to publish that game? Bungie signs a 10 year agreement with Activision, but they plan on splintering off a second team (Bungie North?) that will possibly make games for another publisher? That's a strange arrangement.
Last edited by Hezzron on 5/19/2010 12:53:11 PM
It'll be called Bungie Escape (clause) as in where they'll go if they decide to bail on Activision…
Good one Highlander!
Makes sense to me. I wouldn't sign any Activision agreement without a back door of some kind.
Yeah, maybe the real people behind the Bungie "talent" are going to pull a fast one, and leave to form that second team for EA. Activision will be left with a name and a bunch of impostors.
Are the Bungie guys tight with the former IW guys? Hmmmm……
@Hezzron didnt they work with naughty dog on Uncharted 2?
Alienange is all about the back door.
Bungie is the new Rare. You heard it here first. Call me when they make a game worth caring about again.
ROTFLMAO!
agreed.
haha, whenever Arnold pops up from his dungeon he makes the best comments.
I gotta agree, million dollar ideas don't grow on trees and you can ride on a name for so long.
Every time EA speaks they come across as a bunch of really swell guys. They definitely know how to handle the media if anything.
Alienange,
LOL,
after reading that, I was thinking the same very thing…
All holding hands in a sing-a-long around the campfire & passing some newly made S'mores to one another.
lol
I wonder what the agreement is with Activision, since it seems to me that EA lets a studio pretty much do their own thing.
I'm hopping that they don't make another Halo that game sucks. PS3 will be selling like hot cakes oh wait they already are.
Last edited by StangMan80 on 5/19/2010 6:33:11 PM
Bungies options were simple….
Activision – Safe but milked to death with yearly release.
EA – Yearly release to but likelyhood of closure
I wonder if the deal between EA and Bungie fell through cos of the following discussions at Activision:
Kotick: "We will hype the sh** out of this new IP you're gonna develop and make it seem bigger than Halo. We will pay you a lot of money to stay with us and you will receive a large share in the profit. (whispers) in the year 2022 after I have fired and bankrupted you)"
Or…
Kotick: "Please go with our company, we messed up big with Modern Warfare and the COD franchise, and we're looking for another developer to exploit… woops, did that just slip out? Anyways, PLEASE join Activision!!! We have no talent and could really use yours to make us more money to bathe in of a night… darn it, gotta stop these damn verbal slips."
anti-vision probably just "cooked the "books with a phony contract that give Bungie everything, but then & did a quick ole Houdini switch-a-roo on the real contract, which takes everything back, including Bungie's company.
I hope Bungie already hired a stable full of lawyers, just so they're ready for anti-vision