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hat a year 2007 ended up being for Although keen to see itself as separate from the Bungie. In fact, you can boil the other teams working on Xbox titles for Microsoft, importance of 2007 to Bungie to a key the studio nevertheless retains a creative deal period from September to October. binding it to more games for the format. More Firstly, the third and final part of its Halo trilogy Halo-related titles and new IPs are already arrived at retail in September and was the best confirmed to be in the works. selling game on 360 (and according to Microsoft Still, the deal was a one-of-a-kind move which the bestselling game of 2007, although Activision others may envy, but a headline-grabbing move disputes that and says its Call of Duty only Bungie could pull off – and 4 shifted more units globally). something that was probably needed. Returning to Having already split away into its own With continued support for the game via regular downloadable content, Halo independence offices away from the Microsoft ones, 3 has proven to be one of the most Bungie always set its own rules in the was a ambitious next-gen games so far in first place. headlineterms of community and multiplayer; And that’s true of how it runs itself, as the game’s customisable Forge element well. That every desk has wheels grabbing is driven by user-tweaked maps while attached so team members can move move only the game continues to hold the top around freely as a project changes size spot on the Xbox Live most-played list. Bungie could and shape is no development urban Ambition is something that Bungie myth. Plus, leads at the firm pull off is no stranger to, of course, given its say that the company is run pioneering Bungie.net site set the truly democratically, with sharing template for online game stat tracking and a priority – be that of ideas, credit for work, or profits. information collation back when Halo 2 was Halo fans may be hungry for more Master Chief, released. But it’s an attitude that permeates every but now that the studio has cast off the Microsoft part of the studio’s management, as October saw shackles watchers will be more closely looking out an almost unprecedented turn of events for the in- for the promised new IP, the first original game to house team as it left the comfy confines of come from the Seattle-based team in over five Microsoft Game Studios and became and years. Whatever it is, expect it to make a big splash independent developer once again. and sell well.
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