Bungie Says: "We Make Games That We Want to Play"

Split-screen: "Bungie Studios has an exceptionally good E3 showing with Halo 3: ODST and the announcement of Halo: Reach for Autumn 2010. Yes, they've never had a bad year at E3 thanks to Halo, but the developer continues to assert their top-notch presentation skills and production values. Does it reaffirm their basic thinking? One would think so, since Bungie's tagline is now, 'We Make Games That We Want to Play'."

[Jerkapotamus]

They must not have a very diverse taste in games then. I'd really like them to get away from FPS's and the Halo franchise. I thought that was the point in leaving Microsoft, but I guess the money guaranteed by releasing a Halo game is too much. The Halo games are fine, but I really want to see what they can do in other genres.

[Xi]

They've made 2 fps franchises that have been popular, they also created the real time tactics genre of games that warcraft soon followed with, and they made a great 3rd person action game.

[Gun_Senshi]

lol before warcraft?

you're a retard. Blizzard created a RTS game in 8 Bit Era when they where still named Silicon & Synapse, in 1991. Thats before you was born.

[SuperM]

Halo ODST did not have an impressive showing at E3. The gameplay videos was so boring i never got to finish any of them. Im actually starting to doubt the so called immense talent of bungie. They look pretty much like a 1 hit wonder to me. First Halo was great, and after that it just went downhill. Halo Reach better be a significant upgrade orelse i will lose any interest in the Halo franchise.

[FamilyGuy]

But that's a good moto.

hmm, i could swear there was someone between these two post...

[FamilyGuy]

Obviously this game franchise is... lucrative. And with so many returning and new gamers interested in it i can see why they wouldn't want to stray BUT.
The fact that they've made games that are so enjoyable to the users that they not only come back for more but bring friends with them should let them know that they're good enough to try other things.

[siyrobbo]

has reach been confirmed as a FPS? Ive not read up that much on it

[JokesOnYou]

Sony folks or "I'm no halo fan but"-type gamers...uhm how about you just forget about Halo then and buy all those other thousands of games available from hundreds of OTHER devs. I'll take more Halo greatness along with many of those other great games too, from other great devs. Thank you very much. Its funny how the same folks can't wait for the next long running sequel on ps platform. I would agree its maybe time to move on from Halo or radically change it, if there was a whole lot of sequels and tons of spin offs, but its only been>>>>3<<& lt; Halo games so far and soon to be an expansion with ODST, then a pretty damm good RTS....theres a ton of Halo Universe yet to be explored. I'd hope we get at least 2 or 3 more direct sequels and if they have some great spin-off ideas like Halo Wars then bring it on,

lmfao lets be honest alot of haters WANT to see Halo go away just because they know its potential for continued success is still very high, [takes one look at comments from the usual members] gasp, how predictable.

JOY

[poopface1]

THe last bungie game I played before halo was on ps2, called ONI. IT was a horrible game. And I was really looking forward to it. If the new halo has stealth like in halo 1, then it will be the best sp halo since the first.

[Shepherd 214]

i guess the same reason why Konami has made over a dozen MGS stealth games, or why Valve only makes FPS's too, or why theres a new COD FPS game released every single year.

But Halo makes the most money, so it gets all the criticism.

To be honest, i pulled an all-nighter last night switching back and forth between Halo 3 and Fallout 3 and party chatting with some friends. That why Bungie wants to keep making Halo. Because 2 years after Halo 3's release, its the most played game on XBL, and people like me are still loving the hell out of Halo and looking forward to the next installment, the same as anyone else looking forward and speculating about upcoming Metal Gear Solid games, analyzing trailers of God of War 3, and being worried but excited about Final Fantasy 13.

[TheRealSpy02]

@JOY

they don't want halo to go away. could you imagine how bored these people would be if one of their favorite things to complain about stopped launching sequels?

THEY NEED IT. giving a negative, biased, uninformed opinion about games you dislike is what N4G (forums) is all about.

[Blaze929]

And they got sales figures to prove it ;)

[All-3]

I think Bungie sent a message to Microsoft via the Master Chief's last words in Halo 3.

Master Chief said: "Wake me. If you need me."

We all know Microsoft needs another Halo game for 2010 or 2011 at the very latest.

Microsoft might be developing a new game engine for the next Halo game as their hiring suggests as well... I think Microsoft realizes that another true Halo game can only be made by Bungie... but were willing to go ahead without them on board? Who knows, perhaps the thought of another company making the next Halo game was too much for Bungie to take...

Going independent means more money for Bungie via sales profit sharing and Microsoft gets the Halo game it wants... so I don't think Bungie minds as much as they did when they were owned by Microsoft.

[Raoh]

I'm no halo fan but for the most part i do respect Bungie's work and commitment.

They should step away from halo for at least one games life cycle. do something completely different. They could probably teach themselves some new tricks and techniques.

I like to cook, my specialty is Rosemary Chicken. People go gaga over it. but when i make it all the time it starts to lose what makes it great cause its no longer something i make for special occasions or when i'm really in the mood or when i want to impress someone. after a while it starts to just become vanilla. but i only do it once in a while and when i do it i go all out cause i put my love into it.

If bungie would step away from halo for a while they would probably be more excited to return to halo and really do something special for it.

[WildArmed]

I agree.
I think there is more to Bungie than just Halo.
I dont think everyone sees that and wants Bungie to stick with the Halo franchise.

I wish their talent could be used in a diverse matter.
Like insomniac, switching off from R&C n Resistance year after year.
I'd like dat ^^

[mastiffchild]

But, ODST was their chance to free themselves from the fear of wrecking what they have bu changing MC and Halo too much(a fear which is stifling their undoubted talent, imo)and they haven't, from whats been shown, really grasped that.

Really, despite being open world it's lots more of the same kind of thing when it could have felt as fresh as the fist Halo did. Hopefully Reach will see Bungie back to astounding people rather than just giving them more of what worked last time. Halo is easily a big enough fanchise to take a few risks to improve and build on iot's legacy and it would be sad if Bungie weren't the ones to do it.

I don't doubt that people will like ODST or that it'll still be a good game I just wish they'd looked to change things up a bit more, am I being unrealistic?

[Foxgod]

Yes you are, cause all indications show that Halo ODST will sell like crazy, and bring even more success to Bungie and its franchise.

Heck, even an Halo rts sold more then 2 million copies.
(remember how all the sony fans claimed it only sold because according to sony fans the consumers thought it would be a halo shooter).

[mastiffchild]

You miss my point Foxy. I mean that whatever they tried with ODST people would, because of both the fact that it's a Halo FPS and made by Bungie, buy the game in thier droves safe in the knowledge that they'd like what they'd be getting.

Under those circumstances is it unrealistic to want or expect just a bit more experimentation? This time we aren't in the shoes of MC so the chance for big changes was there-people expect some change surely when you aren't gonna be a Spartan superhero in a near indestructible suit for the first time, no?

That it will sell like mad is part of my reasoning-they have a given, huge audience willing the game to be great that prolly expected a few changes and I wodered if they'd be more happy to stick close to the winning formula or branch out some more after Halo3 didn't do much different. I realise the temptation is to leave the thing that works as it is but we see n other real;ms that success is maintained longest term by those who can reinvent themselvs and their product over time.

Whatever, it's no great moan I'm having and Reach might be when Bungie move the series forward in bigger strides as ODST did start as an expansion, and in fairness still carries the H3 name in it's title. I'll still enjoy ODST but I won't be blown away like I was when I first played CE and I just worry a little that Bungie might get a little stuck on the same track and I'd hate a great series to pall.

[Raoh]

FOXY you miss my point

david jafee could sell like crazy on the 360

but he and kojima etc have stated (and are not poor) that they love to create.. forget online rules, current trends etc.. "I have a vision and i want to do it no matter what".. i think bungie is at that stage where its not that they dont want to continue halo but would like to make a great non halo game.. only thing better than another halo bungie game is another bungie game that can stand next to halo...

look at the shadow of the colossus and ico fans.. it wasnt a big money seller but damn it if the developer and its fans werent proud of that game...

some of the xbox fans that love the square enix love wont play ffxiv but sales wise screw it, there are so many mmorpg fans that screw the halo and gran turismo sales..

i think bungie could be the next great developers period ...... not the halo developer great only.. also it would make halo better.. halo sales were/are great but i loved halo 1, was not impressed at all with halo 2 and halo 3 was to me just a big hype.. that doesnt mean halo sucks but that maybe bungie needs more development/creative time to make a real halo game not a halo sales spectacle.. (add the fact that many bought halo based on hype alone..

[truewittness]

why would this guy report this as "Lame: and OLD how the hell is this considered news?"

the artical on split-screen.com was posted on 6-7 and the tagline trademark was: Date of Status: 2009-06-04.

now MAR-TYR-DOM is bias, maybe even a fanboy.

and news? i've see worse things get reported and posted.

[Nike]

(In response to my stating it to be new): "Whatever dude, this is NOT news, its a waste of time, and its NOT going to get approved!"

Strange how he missed this though:

http://n4g.com/events_e3200...

So, yes. Worse things have been reported and subsequently approved. :)

[d0nT wOrrY]

Milking
The
Game

[psycho360]

Says the guy with MGS series character in his avatar.

[bullswar]

Jealouse Pony Fanboys ... cant have it now and never will.

[-MD-]

God of War (3)
Final Fantasy (14)
Metal Gear Solid (4)
Gran Turismo (5)

Lets talk about milking.

[d0nT wOrrY]

haha a lot of bots, at least its not just one game ops i mean two.

gears and halo

[Foxgod]

Theres been over 20 metal gear games =)
And 30+ final fantasy's.

[Man_of_the_year]

Way to make yourself look like a complete idiot with your statement. Obviously the PS3 is your first console since you have no idea about the history of gaming and its games.

[d0nT wOrrY]

whatever you say moron @Man_of..

im gaming since 1993, i know everything about gaming. and yes, halo sux

[Man_of_the_year]

So then you are just ignornat then huh? To say milking of the franchise yet you have the avatar of one of the most milked frachises in gaming history....

Oh yes, and you suck. Stupid ignorant hypicritical douche of a Sony Droid.

[SpoonyRedMage]

Bungie are cool guys and I personally think that the continuation of the Halo franchise is equally about the popularity and the money and also that Bungie loves the franchise.

[mastiffchild]

They do cme axcross pretty well I'll say that for them but I also fear that they're a little in thrall to what Halo has become which hampers them when it comes to changing things-Halo is a great franchise and Bungie deserve all the praise available for it.

However, with Halo3 not feeling the big gen jump it could have I felt that this time with ODST(and no MC)they'd be braver and change more than they have. Maybe they're just too respectful of the fans and worry that too much would turn people off and eventually that could stagnate the series. Maybe, if Reach isn't a big advance in Halo it would be best for Bungie and Halo to be apart for a game or two?

[SpoonyRedMage]

Well it seems they didn't really want to make Halo 3 and ODST and Reach are more in the direction they want to take it. ODST whilst similar in gameplay is a total different style, especially narratively.

[el zorro]

Well I love Halo, so I guess I must say Bungie have great taste in games.

I can't wait for Halo ODST.

[table]

meh. they've let the series go downhill. ODST looks very ordinary.

[Nike]

I approached Halo 2 with much enthusiasm and was disappointed with the single-player. Multiplayer worked out nice, despite the trademark Halo quarks but I was expecting a whole more direction and plot from something that was tauted to be this indigenous space opera. Not just "run around the place shooting stuff up". Metroid Prime at the time did not use any bump-mapping whatsoever and yet, it still looked better than Halo 2. Halo 3 was a little more solid in terms of gameplay and story.

Now ODST. There's something about this game. Take my word: The Halo-verse is admittedly interesting in how it mixes military sci-fi with different races and customs (reminds me somewhat of Battlestar Galactica in some places). Other Halo titles, even Halo Wars, didn't replicate that feeling. But like Republic Commando for Star Wars, ODST looks to be giving us a look into the grittier and far more engrossing side of Halo. A side with flawed heroes who aren't horribly invincible but still get through each battle.

Does it show more promise than earlier Halo titles? Hell yes. Time will tell how the gameplay matches up. If we can be be skeptical about any games we haven't tried, we can sure as hell be for ODST as well. But that only underscores the latent potential the game has.

[tudors]

"Halo ODST did not have an impressive showing at E3. The gameplay videos was so boring i never got to finish any of them. Im actually starting to doubt the so called immense talent of bungie. They look pretty much like a 1 hit wonder to me. First Halo was great, and after that it just went downhill. Halo Reach better be a significant upgrade or else i will lose any interest in the Halo franchise."

Halo Reach I have heard uses a new engine? but ODST while it looked a little better does not seem to push new grounds engine wise, Forza 3 is a perfect example of a good engine upgrade, on the other hand ODST will ne fantastic, hopefully Reach will break the mould, games like LP2, Assasins Creed 2, Splinter Cell conviction etc all appear to have upped the engine to the point it makes the consoles or in my case Xbox-360 seem fresh and new, Bungie should have at least tested the reach engine on ODST, but regardless E3 left me thinking this generation is far from over, Xbox-360 has a good few years left yet. I am looking forward to Homefront, that game looks sick.

[FamilyGuy]

With every single word you just said.

I think if a game sequel or additional iteration is going to release on the same platform as it's predecessor it should strive for significant improvement and if not it should simply release as an expansion so that people won't expect too much.

[streety519a]

Well I don't agree with everything you say. This isn't a sequel or addition, its a game expansion using the original engine with only a small group of bungie employee's working on it. And I noticed significant improvements in the engine, such as the use of the visor, switch to open world gameplay, and the bridge explosions.
Using Forza 3 and Splinter Cell as examples of improved engines is wrong due to the fact that they are both using brand new engines. Turn 10 and Ubisioft both stated this during the conference.
Also Bungie are testing the Reach engine on ODST. The expansion comes with access to the Halo Reach multiplayer beta.

[saimcheeda]

bungie only plays halo :p!!!!

[-MD-]

That would make sense if Bungie had 10 million employees.

[ikral]

i say they are full of shot.

[genesis013185]

I believe that thats Microsofts biggest problem they have. They (Microsoft) has to be able to create something new with their 1st parties and 2nd parties. This shows me that maybe their a little afraid to take a risk by having Bungie introduce a new IP. I think Bungie could do something incredible if for at least one game they step away from the Halo series. This also is a good thing though as I remember hearing that we won't see the next Halo until Microsofts next console. So this is a good indication that Microsoft is sticking with the Xbox 360. I think they should

[Foxgod]

Bungie is no longer a first party studio, they are third party now, MS doesnt really have much of a saying anymore about what Bungie should create.

[mastiffchild]

You really think that's true Foxgod? Really? Halo and MS are synonymous and as Bungies cash cow they remain as tied to MS/360 as ever and we all know it.

The situation suits them both right now which is why we cannot look at Bungie as any more independent, except in name, than Rare. Trist me Bungie are as close to MS as ND are to Sony if not more.

[Foxgod]

Yeah, ps3 fans think that way, until the first party studio discussion comes up again.
Then all of a sudden Bungie is third party again.

The relationship doesnt matter, Bungie is not first party.
Lionhead, Turn10, Peterjacksons studio, MS game studio's, Ms live studio's and Rare are first party, bungie is third party, just like Epic.

[mastiffchild]

Nothing to do with PS3 at all-and I don't see why it should really. I'm saying that right now the Halo franchise is too important to both MS and Bungie for them to be considered even as distant as MS and Epic who enjoy a fruitful and mutually beneficial relationship.

I'm not saying that's a bad thing-it isn't so don't be defensive about it. Sony don't have(PD and GT aside perhaps) a game/relationship like this even among their first party devs. As far as video games are concerned I feel that, and this is the important part, RIGHT NOW Halo is as big as Bungie or MS. It's the biggest console seller in HD gaming today-how are they not irrevocably linked??

It's a unique situation which, imo, makes the fact that Bungie are third party irrelevant-at the moment. I don't see why that opinion should be taken as an insult of some kind.

[All-3]

Bungie got to keep the company name, but lost Halo as an IP when it went independent... so Bungie can't make a Halo game without Microsoft's say so.

Personally... I'd like to see a Halo game with a strong horror element/atmosphere in it... with very dramatic lighting/shadowing, featuring the flood.

[maverick1191]

well bungie have milked halo same with activison and COD theres like 4 halo games out now and more to come but if people love the game you should give them what they want and make another game of it

[lordv8der]

That bungie seem to have this fixation on halo. they have the gameplay nailed it would appear now i want to see them make a new ip with some story to it. I hate to see devs going to waste like this,

Roll on Marathon 2!!

[Troll-Killer]

...Marathon 2 wouldn't be a "new IP" either...and certainly not a departure from the "space marines vs. aliens" genre. Nitwit.

[lordv8der]

*sigh* i was making a lighthearted comment, you may be new to the notion. Notice how there is a space between that statement and my previous comment. That's called a paragraph, and it indicates a seperation in the text, in this case its a change in subject. Moron...

[II Necroplasm II]

They are a bunch a stupid yanks! yeah mate

[Thoreau]

how about the ability to run and scope. the radar in halo is absolutely scrub friendly. i was a big halo1 and halo2 fan but halo3 is trash. sales don't mean anything to me.....only the game does, so FOX buy a ps3 and stop Crying!!!!!!! i own a 360 and ps3 so i must be god like to FOX.

[Foxgod]

I dont need a ps3.
You look more like an ant in my eyes.

And Halo 3 was awesome, especially the multiplayer *points at how many people are online playing halo3, and have been for years now*

[streety519a]

You've obviously never played Halo as you can run and scope. Do your research my friend.

[bunfighterii]

If the guy who developed the game wouldn't wanna play it then why the f would I?

[Troll-Killer]

...is the REAL reason they make the Halo games. Make no mistake about it. If Halo had never taken off like it did, you can bet your arse the guys at Bungie wouldn't have "liked" it as much...and there sure as hell wouldn't have been a 2 & 3.

[Hobadoon]

And if Michael Jordan didn't make a lot of shots you can bet your arse the guys (and girls) in Chicago wouldn't have "liked" him as much... And there sure as hell wouldn't have been 6 rings...

What's the point of an "if" like that...?

[Jdoki]

Bungie Says: "We Make Games That We Want to Play"

Correction

"We make games Microsoft pay us to make" /jk (maybe)

Nothing wrong with making a profit, but it would be nice to see Bungie turn their hand to something new.

Myth 2 : Soulblighter is still one of favorite games - far outstripping Halo. I'd love to see them return to the series, or even make a new IP in a different genre.

[jdktech2010]

Would you make a game if you didn't get paid for it? Of course they make the game and Microsoft pays them.....that's what you call paying for a product and pretty much how the entire market works.....

[vox]

so they don't play any genre other than FPS games basically?

[Deadman64]

They play tons of games. They are simply stating the fact they are just like the fans, and in order to make fun games, they design them so they think they are fun.

And it seems to have worked.

I have seen studio tours of Bungie and seen plenty of employees playing other games.

One of the best game studios out there right now IMO.

[TheOutsider]

Halo Football, Halo Basketball, Halo Hockey, Halo Baseball, Halo soccer, Halo Tennis, Halo Boxing, Halo Bowling, Halo Rugby, Halo MMA, Halo volleyball, Halo Cricket, And of course DLC for all titles!!! HA HA HA HA!!!Funny thing, The BOTS will buy them all!!!!!!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!

[Bumpmapping]

Bungie=Mediocre developer

[badbond1]

for making an successful series! I will never play it, but congratulations nonetheless.

[patterson]

Bungie makes games I don't want to play! :D

[jdktech2010]

You don't have to play them.........and you also don't have to comment on news about them

[patterson]

and you don't have to respond to people who don't think Halo is God's gift to gaming.

[Deadman64]

He made you look really silly patterson. Just wanted to make sure you knew.

[patterson]

Dear Deadman64 (lol),

No one likes you. Thought you should know.

Sincerely, Patterson

[USMCj]

I am not the biggest halo fan anymore but i certianly spent some time on em. Hopefully they get back to where they came from.

Halo 1=B+
Halo 2=A+
Halo 3=D+

I hated halo 3

[jdktech2010]

I actually really enjoyed Halo 3 and thought it was better than 2. If I had to score them (I care more about multiplayer for Halo although all single player campaings were good)

Halo - B
Halo 3 - A
Halo 2 - B-

[koehler83]

Do they not play anything other than Halo? Lame

[drewsny]

I laughed at the that said halo sucked because you could not scope and run. Obviously he is just a ps3 fanboy wanting to make halo look bad in any way possible. I can easily say as a owner of all consoles that halo has to be the best series at least in my opinion, FF following at number 2, and elder scrolls at 3. i have probably logged over 1000 hours into the halo series and im still having fun. i still go back to play halo ce with my friends and have lan parties every other week.

Also sorry for replying to you, i did it by accident.

[360DownINflames]

lol
..

Honesly if bungie wants to redeem themselves say screw M$ make a new halo clone and put it multi platform.

Otherwise say goodbye to your studio.

[kaveti6616]

I love halo 3, but FPS games give me headaches now. At night when I'm struggling to get to sleep all I hear is rapid gunfire in my head. Bungie has a really good artistic style and they can really show it off in Oni 2. Either that or another Myst game. I dont' mind a Halo 4, but it needs to be drastically new this time around.

[AngryTypingGuy]

Bungie should work on something other than Halo, not that I mind Halo.