Okay, so Crono was playing Halo 3 the other day and was wondering "Well, this, ODST, and Reach are the last of the Halo Franchise. Will Bungie ever continue it without Microsoft?" So, he looked up the reason why they split up in the first place 3 years ago. Turns out, it was for independence towards their games. Besides, Microsoft was kinda tough towards their games, being picky and all. So, they want to make Bungie an independent company. Now, Bungie can use all their creativity for their games. The information below sort of explains most of what Microsoft has done in turn.

Microsoft Corp. back in 2007 announced a plan for Bungie Studios, the developers of the Halo franchise, to embark on a path to become an independent company. Microsoft will retain an equity interest in Bungie at the same time continuing its long standing publishing agreement between Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie for the Microsoft owned “Halo” intellectual property as well as other future properties developed by Bungie.

The critically acclaimed Xbox 360 exclusive “Halo 3” achieved $300 million in global sales in its first week. Released in Europe on Wednesday, Sept. 26, “Halo 3” is the fastest-selling video game ever and already one of the most successful entertainment properties in history.

“Our collaboration with Bungie has resulted in ‘Halo’ becoming an enduring mainstream hit,” said Shane Kim, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios. “While we are supporting Bungie’s desire to return to its independent roots, we will continue to invest in our ‘Halo’ entertainment property with Bungie and other partners, such as Peter Jackson, on a new interactive series set in the ‘Halo’ universe. We look forward to great success with Bungie as our long-term relationship continues to evolve through ‘Halo’-related titles and new IP created by Bungie.”

“This exciting evolution of our relationship with Microsoft will enable us to expand both creatively and organizationally in our mission to create world-class games,” said Harold Ryan, studio head for Bungie. “We will continue to develop with our primary focus on Microsoft’s platforms; we greatly value our mutually prosperous relationship with our publisher, Microsoft Game Studios, and we look forward to continuing that affiliation through ‘Halo’ and beyond.”

Bungie Studios will remain in its current location in Kirkland, Wash.

So, Crono believes this was a great decision. It also means, Bungie can create games for other Platforms too, and expand their game developing to new levels through time.

But, also, because of this, Halo has been thrown back and left behind. Do you think their choice of separation was smart?

I really am not sure if Bungie can make it on their own. They make good games but they still got help from Microsoft, now X-Box has no master cheif.

Without Halo and Microsoft, I'm not sure Bungie will make it. They'd have to think of something real original in order to succeed from now on.

This doesn't really affect me. I think that Bungie should just stay solo though. I think that it's about time that they cut their umbilical cord to Microsoft and I think they should stay solo. They can make great games without Microsoft's help. They're big boys now. Although I do agree that they must come up with some kind of non-get-rich-quick-scheme kind of, to stay afloat.

Actually, Microsoft is thinking about creating Bungie a developing group, or so I heard. Either way, I believe they should stay independent as they have full control of their games and ideas.

I think it'd be cool to see Bungie branch out beyond Microsoft and try doing something on other consoles or handhelds. I don't care what it is, but if a game has the name Bungie attached to it, I expect some sort of greatness.