14 DAY TRIAL // Bungie, the developer of the critically acclaimed Halo franchise, is quite happy with its recent 10-year contract with Activision, saying that the large publisher, despite its imposing reputation, is very hands-off in the whole affair.
Bungie had splintered from Microsoft a few years ago, after creating for it the massively successful Halo franchise, which practically made possible its profit in the gaming industry.
Recently, the studio announced that it had signed a 10-year contract with Activision, saying that it will deliver an all-new property that will surpass even Halo.
This move surprised quite a lot of people, given the company's not so bright reputation, especially after its scandal with Infinity Ward, which resulted in the departure of studio founders, who are now engaged in a lawsuit with Activision.
Bungie composer Marty O'Donnell says the relationship is very good, largely because Activision understands its position in the new partnership and has a hands-off approach when it comes to interactions.
"Not only were we excited about the contract that we were able to get with Activision but they seem really committed to being hands-off," said the Bungie veteran to Industry Gamers.
"They really seem committed to agreeing that they are the publishers and they need to support in all the ways publishers support [titles] and they were looking for developers that were completely self-sufficient essentially - except maybe we need some money once in a while - but self-sufficient in terms of not needing to depend on them for production or development or some of these other things. They want a team that has a proven track record - a team that can go out and get it done. And so the hands-off nature of it is really appealing to us."
O'Donnell said that Bungie did a lot of negotiating with plenty of publishers before reaching to a conclusion that only Activision was able to support a 10-year endeavor and allow it the freedom to pursue what the studio thought was the right thing to do.
He goes on to say that Activision did institute a number of safe guards against failures, but that both parties understand the risks and are confident that the relationship won't come to an abrupt end anytime soon.
"Basically, it's up to us to do the next big thing and be successful and then everyone is happy. And if we don't, then nobody is happy," he explained.
Bungie's new project is still unknown, as the company shot down any rumors that it might be working on an online-only multiplayer first-person shooter, in the vein of World of Warcraft.