Phil Spencer Will Play Destiny 2 With Bungie This Week

It's no secret Phil Spencer and Bungie have a storied history together that dates back to the OG Xbox. Spencer has played hundreds of hours of Destiny. Back in 2017, he said he had spent "more than 700 hours playing the sci-fi shooter." Now he's teaming up with Bungie once again for a special event. They'll be doing public matchmaking which means you have chance of playing with them and earn exclusive rewards.

[NarutoFox]

Bungie and Phil Spencer is a match made in heaven. Bungie is the reason why Xbox became relevant. They should be a Microsoft first party studio tbh.

[lxeasy]

Bungee and Microsoft make sense the same way Insomniac and Sony make sense. Bungee becoming a first party studio would be a natural fit.

[NarutoFox]

Yup

https://www.google.com/amp/...

[sinspirit]

No they don't, and everyone is eager to compare the positives of competitors and find a way that it works the same way for MS. You wonder why they are in competitors shadows and it's not just because of what they do, but because of these comparisons trying to make them look equal.

Bungie originally developed on Mac because they liked the platform more. Marathon was a notable game they made and Halo was them putting all their cards on the table. It was well in development for Mac and a PC release would potentially be later on. MS looking to expand their gaming business and push DirectX saw Halo and wanted it. Back then no one had any stigma of Microsoft's games business. It sounds like a no brainer to work for a massive business like them with all their resources. They wanted them to keep doing Halo, so it was either keep the studio for the name and watch employees leave or let them go and so they let them go. It wasn't a bad relationship. But, not ideal. They didn't even want to make Reach but stuck it out for one more game to see what they could work on next. MS was not ideal for their next project(s).

Sony and Insomniac have always had a terrific relationship and it wasn't just "here's money, make this". Sony put more trust into the studio when it was a third party, several times over, than Microsoft would in Bungie as a first party. Microsoft hires various authors to write more and more Halo stories and that is why it has become so convoluted, generic, and disrespectful to previous material. There were also theories about the "inconsistencies" with Reach that were on purpose since Bungie didn't write the Reach storyline themselves. Go watch the Bungie studios Halo development documentary and then watch the 343i documentary. It's a night and day difference in how they approach development process and priorities

[fr0sty]

I've always hated that dude's cocky smirk.

I can see it now, in the middle of the play session, "Bungie, the time has come for you to return to your Microsoft overlords. Take this check!"

Of all the studios they should try to buy, that is definitely one of them.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

I mean, it realistically wouldn't do much for MS. If they bought them out Destiny 3 would have to be Multiplat considering its a multiplat franchise. Alienating PS4 fanbase would not be smart at all. New ip? Sure but what sorta game can Bungie make without feeling like Halo or Destiny? MS owing them would do nothing except piss off PS fan base and rightfully so. I dunno, I don't really see the benefits here.

[lxeasy]

There would be a ton of benefit, similar to how Mojang was bought by Microsoft and remains one of the best selling multiplatform dev out there with Minecraft. Destiny would undoubtedly remain multiplat but it would be owned by microsoft. Any new Ip's by them however would probably be exclusive.

[Godmars290]

Not getting why the PS fanbase would be concerned. Similarly could see what it might do for Halo to get Bungie back under MS.

[Hungryalpaca]

Ixeasy

Are you seriously trying to say Minecraft kept selling because of Microsoft?

[conanlifts]

It would benefit them as they would have bungie back to share assets and collaborate. They could keep Destiny multi platform and use bungie to improve their other studios. In addition what happens after Destiny 3? Bungie could create a new IP and make that exclusive. But it is likely all talk.

[Donnie81]

What in the world are you talking about. If they bought them obviously they wouldn’t care if the made Sony fans mad.

[ElementX]

They were first party and split off years ago, why would they come back?

[lxeasy]

@elementx They were never first party they were second party. Like how Insomniac has been second party with Sony for so long before they finally joined them this year.

[ElementX]

"Even with all of the turmoil surrounding the split of Microsoft, the software giant has announced their plans to acquire Bungie Software, developers of the Myth series, Halo, and Oni. Bungie and its approximately 50 employees will become an independent development studio within Microsoft Games."

Sounds as though they were bought as the article says... even the title is "Microsoft ACQUIRES Bungie". Since when does acquire mean second party? Am I missing something?

https://www.ign.com/article...

[SpeedDemon]

@lxeasy
No they were 1st party, Microsoft allowed them to split off.

[Sophisticated_Chap]

They would come back, possibly because they have learned that the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence. Insomniac, while not being a first party studio back in the day, was with Sony 100%, and then they set off to work with EA and Microsoft. Insomniac said that they never wanted to sell their business to Sony or anyone at that time. Things change.

[rainslacker]

They were 1st party. Brought right before the first halo released as I recall.

They brought back their independence. Either that was a clause in the contract, or the studio offered enough money to make MS say yes. Probably the former scenario.

[SyntheticForm]

It really is. Halo CE and Halo 2 made Xbox what it is today.

Halo 2's online really kicked off the shooter scene for console.

[Sophisticated_Chap]

To a degree, I would say that you are right, although, I think Socom got things cracking for online play on PlayStation consoles.

[SyntheticForm]

You have a point with Socom getting the ball rolling a little, but Halo 2 enjoyed popularity the likes of which Socom never reached, and it contributed more overall to the FPS scene.

Halo's combat was more varied and complex, while Socom's was more simple. Halo 2's built in friends list became the defacto (almost official) friends list for Xbox essentially, and damn near everyone who owned an Xbox owned Halo 2. It also really propelled the competitive shooter scene on console with MLG.

Lots of firsts with Halo 2.

[rainslacker]

I think MS made it more prominent because they made it more of a system wide feature. SOCOM was big back in the day, but online play was made mainstream early on because of how much MS pushed it with some really high profile titles.

[SyntheticForm]

@ Rain

You're right - Halo was essentially a console "feature" as well as a high profile game. It 'was' a feature of Xbox - very well stated and a good point to boot.

Socom was big for a moment, granted, but it was never Halo big.

[Spurg]

Seems that marketing deal Sony had with Activision is over since Bungie broke up with them.

Microsoft should acquire them.

[lxeasy]

It would make sense.

[rainslacker]

I think it was a deal for the generation, and bungie would likely still have to honor any contracts put in place by Activision. Bungie likely had to buy itself out again, and Sony wouldn't allow a contract to go unfilled, unless there were stipulations for that also.

I question if the destiny gravy train is worth it anymore anyhow.

Plus, Spencer visiting bungie doesn't mean it may be for anything this gen. Gotta consider that next gen starts a new cycle, so maybe the next destiny, or some new ip.

[Spurg]

"I think it was a deal for the generation, and bungie would likely still have to honor any contracts put in place by Activision. Bungie likely had to buy itself out again, and Sony wouldn't allow a contract to go unfilled, unless there were stipulations for that also."

If there was a deal still in place then it wouldn't be shown on Xbox. But at Gamescom, it was shown in the Inside Xbox show, where they had Xbox controller input during gameplay.
I'm pretty confident that the deal ended with the split between Bungie and Activision.

[SyntheticForm]

I really would love to see Bungie let go of Destiny and try something new. I think gamers are weary and I think it's gotten stale, though I know some who still enjoy it.

They're a very talented studio (one of the best out there) and I imagine what they could do unfettered.

I don't think they're a 1-2 trick pony with Halo and Destiny and believe they're capable of even greater heights than Halo.

[rainslacker]

@Spurg

It's possible. I just know that in general, any contract that Activision made on behalf of Bungie to promote their game, like the one made with Sony, would still be legally binding after the split, unless Bungie brought out that part of the contract as well, or there was a stipulation that Bungie had to pay for any losses of Activisions part in that deal. Couple other scenarios as well, but those two would have been the most common.

I can't really see why Bungie would spend extra money to get out of a marketing contract, as for the most part, they would be the bigger benefactors getting paid publicity by a 3rd party, plus, the time frame of the deal may have already been up as they tend to have time limits, and Destiny has been out for a while, so saying it's generational doesn't mean that it would last the whole generation, but more likely 5 years, with possible extension clauses or something. During the split, any money Activision was making on the deal, either directly(paid in cash), or indirectly(marketing paid by Sony), would then be going to Bungie.

It's all speculation of course, since none of us really know the deals that were in place, but I wouldn't take anything shown on inside Xbox as an indicator of anything. If there was no current deal in place due to a contract expiring, or now being defunct, then it may have just been MS doing some marketing for Bungie, which isn't out of the ordinary. Happens at every trade show.

@Synthetic

I think they are capable of a lot more. I know they wanted to move away from Halo, and was kind of puzzled over just making another game which was pretty much a MP based looter shooter in the same vein as Halo's online. But before Halo, they had other games which were all pretty well. Of course, many people probably have moved from the company since then, but the overall company culture may promote creative game making. I don't think Destiny was an actual bad game, it was just mired in all sorts of microtransaction controversy, and of course, the sequal blues where everyone wants to complain. Otherwise, I think most of the complaints were about as meaningful as we see with fortnite. A bunch of complaining because it's the popular thing to hate.

[Hungryalpaca]

And have their games sell less than half? Sounds like a stupid decision.

[rob-GP]

I don't get why everyone is suddenly jumping on the "X should acquire Y" bandwagons. They could work with them, have some exclusive titles or collab with them without buying them out and forcing them to drop working for another platform.

I imagine one of the main reasons Sony bought Insomniac was because they saw MS going out trying to buy everyone, so they wanted to be sure they didn't miss the chance to keep them as one of their best developers.

[Vasto]

Bungie coming back home!

[lxeasy]

Hey Vasto realistically speaking do you think Microsoft will acquire them? Or are they more interested in growing Indie/AA studios? I can see them acquire 1 or 2 more AAA studios in the near future but the mortify of acquisitions I think might be AA or Indie. What are your thoughts?

[Vasto]

I am more in favor of growing smaller studios my self but I think its really possible for Bungie to come back to Microsoft. Bungie would complete the Western Studios and next should be a couple Japanese studios like Phil has already stated. Xbox needs some Japanese studios.

https://www.windowscentral....

[NarutoFox]

"Japanese studios like Phil has already stated. Xbox needs some Japanese studios."

I believe it would be Platinum Games. It would definitely helped Microsoft. Who knows Scalebound might actually make a comeback.

[rainslacker]

Unlike most companies that try to break from publishing overlords, bungie has been pretty successful with its independent ventures. I know we ride destiny in the community to say how much we hate what it does, or whatever, bit the game still sells really well.

I'd be more prone to Spencer looking to set up a marketing deal, likely for next gen. Maybe publish some game that bungie wants to make. Bungie left MS for a reason, and they havent been separated so long that they wouldn't have forgotten those reasons...whatever they were

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

BUNGIE is staying independent, in the past they've aligned with 2 of the richest publishers over the years. Yet there an independent studio - doesn't that tell you something?

They enjoy their independence.

[SyntheticForm]

I really hope that they do, and I think all studios enjoy independence but sometimes they prefer the backing of, say, Microsoft or Sony over autonomy.

There are perks and downsides to such unions as you well know.

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

Like I said they've tried the comfort and security with joining 2 - not one - but 2 of the richest publishers.

Why would they do it a 3rd time? It is clear they enjoy their independence.

[SyntheticForm]

We're agreed on the notion that they enjoy their independence, but it could happen again. Hopefully not.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Bungie + Microsoft = fit

[Silly gameAr]

Why do they always use the pic of Phil with that weasely smile? he looks like a super villain, plotting his next evil scheme.

[SyntheticForm]

Probably to frustrate people, honestly.

That big, silly grin.

[Silly gameAr]

I guess he just looks like he's plotting something in every pic he takes. Yeah, that must be it. That big silly grin...

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

Because like most xbox execs - he's a grub, 2 faced, spineless snake oil salesman.

[King_Noctis]

You seem to know him so well. You work for MS or something?

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

King_ - he's in the public eye, that makes him ripe for judgement. And let's be honest more PR than straight comes out his mouth.

Remember "Crackdown 3 is coming along nicely".

[King_Noctis]

Crackdown 3 was just like Days Gone. Why don’t you bring up Gears 5, the recently released title then?

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

C3 was like Days Gone? Are you high? The point of the comment was to highlight the BS that Phil speaks.

By all accounts GoW5 is a good game, what's your point?

[NarutoFox]

King_Noctis

I don't think CD3 sold as well as Days gone

[Sono421]

@King You can tell when someone is biased when they use whataboutism and use it terribly at that.
His entire point is that he is a PR man, PR men are not meant to be taken seriously from any company, their entire job is to basically put a positive spin on things, whether it's true or not. Or try to make their company look good.
He highlighted him lying about Crackdown 3 to prove his point, yet you go on to say Crackdown is like Days Gone? and then complain he didn't mention Gears?! What? Neither of those things has anything to do with the claim he is making, this shows you don't even understand the argument, you simply got offended, then tried to defend Microsoft. Your bias shows so clearly, you're just an open book.

If anyone is silly enough to believe the words of ANY PR man, well you're just a fool.

[rainslacker]

Arent all his pictures like that? Either that or it looks like hes trying to hold in a big dump.

[rob-GP]

That's his standard look, isn't it? It's either that or the image of him jacking off two guys as he does a strange expression...

[TheRealHeisenberg]

Sony is going to acquire Bungie. They will have more freedom that way...unless MS has changed.

[timotim]

More freedom??? How!?!? Sony would only allow Bungie to release their games to their own platforms, unlike Microsoft which releases major games day and date on console and PC, as well as services like Steam. How many major Sony games have released on PC for native play again...that's what I thought. Then their xCloud and mobile devices...if its a matter of how many people can play their games, then it would be Microsoft all the way.

[SyntheticForm]

I think he means that Sony would be less involved in the studio's decision making process than another publisher - namely Microsoft or Activision.

They'd be more likely to start working on whatever they want with Sony, whereas other publishers may nudge or force them to a particular course of action.

Their devs have a degree of autonomy so to speak.

Not that Sony hasn't done the same and they're definitely all about Insomniac continuing Spider-Man, but Sony does have a reputation for backing off the development process and not hovering over projects.

[timotim]

@Synthetic

I cant get behind that logic...especially when we have every single studio that Microsoft acquired recently coming out and saying how they have complete freedom on their projects. This wasn't coming from executives but the studios themselves. Then again, theirs the situation of why would a studio like Bungie who has been working on multiplats for the past decade not want to continue releasing their games on multiple platforms where they reach more gamers??? Sony would say, no, we want you to release them on our platforms only...Microsoft would say you can release them on Xbox console, PC, Steam, Epic Store, Microsoft Store, Gamepass, mobile and streaming...sounds like way more freedom to me.

[SyntheticForm]

@tim

"Xbox console, PC, Steam, Epic Store, Microsoft Store, Gamepass, mobile and streaming...sounds like way more freedom to me."

That's more exposure, Tim, not necessarily more freedom - and even with so many ways to sell to and connect to gamers, I think leaving PlayStation out is a bad idea.

When I say 'freedom' I'm specifically referring to the creative process in development and the developer's ability to create whatever they want with little-to-no outside interference. They'd get the backing of Sony, but Sony would be far removed from the project from concept to shipping.

I just think Sony is the better play here because of what I've witnessed historically.

[TheRealHeisenberg]

@SyntheticForm
Thank you for putting my thoughts into words. Sony has historically allowed studios to follow their own vision for games with a pretty much a hands off approach.

@timotim
I know MS and their recently acquired studios have said they have complete creative freedom but you have to understand that some of us may not be willing just to take them at their word and will have to see how things play out. Please don't perceive me as a MS hater; my comment history will prove otherwise. I just know for me that Sony has delivered more this generation than MS and I believe that is due to the freedom they give their studios.

[timotim]

@Synthetic

Interesting. So you think Sony would be the "better play" when historically, Sony has not allowed their games to be played on as many platforms as Microsoft? Again, how??? If Sony were to acquire Bungie, that would be LESS places for gamers to play their games on...yet somehow that's better for you. If they are open in discussions, id rather have Bungie go with Microsoft because at least we know they will retain freedom, AND be allowed to release their games on a more diverse set of platforms and services. It only makes sense.

@TheRealHeisenberg
Yes, I totally understand your way of thinking...im only pointing out the flaws in your logic. Microsoft would provide them not only with equal amount of freedom (as per the rest of the studios they have acquired), but also more freedom on where they release, when we know Sony would prevent them from releasing on as many platforms as Microsoft...FOR BUNGIE, the better place would be with Microsoft, not Sony.

[SyntheticForm]

Yeah, I'm not hating Microsoft either and I'd like Bungie to stay independent, but based on the history I just find Sony to be more flexible.

[xX-oldboy-Xx]

How much fun is it conversing with timotim? He just doesn't get it.

If ms was such a grand company to be associated with - why did BUNGIE breakaway at the first opportunity?

[BlackIceJoe]

Bungie coming back home to the Xbox would be phenomenal. This is the one developer I want Microsoft to buy. Halo has taken a huge turn for the worse without them and even though Bungie wouldn't be able to help with the Halo that comes out next year, future Halos could have help from Bungie and that would be great.

[Elda]

Reunited & it feeeels so good....lol!!

[slavish0]

Bungie hasn't impressed me since halo reach

[Italiano1234567]

And nobody watched it cause it was on mixer 😂

[Italiano1234567]

Yeah i cant see destiny being only on xbox. Dont see it happening

[froy402]

Phil looks like a big 10 year old kid, could almost see him throwing fits along with the controller at the TV when he gets mad, lol

[DarthZoolu]

Destiny is trash

[zodiac909]

Alright.

[SpineSaw]

Reading some of the comments about this is funny. Some thinks this is a sign that Microsoft might try and purchase Bungie or its a match made in haven. Bungie will never go back to Microsoft owning them. Maybe some have forgot why
Bungie left when they did. Destiny would be a Xbox exclusive and should be had Microsoft let Bungie do what they wanted to do but Microsoft likes to micromanage or they don't no any other way ldk. A buy out of Bungie is not gonna happen but maybe the used car salesmen Phil is making a pitch to get marketing rights for Destiny 3 I can see that happening and why not its make since. And I can see PlayStation maybe not wanting to pay for the rights to Destiny 3 as D2 is not that popular as D1 was. D2 is a rehash of D1. Bungie just can't produce enough new content and they seem content in bringing everything forward from D1 instead of making new content and many Destiny gamers have moved on because of this. Now I know and conseed the fact that D2 now is much better than it was a year ago and far better than the D2 game that released 2years ago and those that have stayed with it seem to love it but the masses that once played Destiny have moved on and for good reason. So maybe a marketing rights move for what I think is a FTP D3 but not a buyout of Bungie....not ever!