Tech Shout!

Microsoft launched the most-anticipated Bungie-developed Halo 3 a little over a week ago. This game which has been developed exclusively for the Xbox 360, received a great response even before the game was actually launched.

The final installment of the game created such a stir worldwide and has even spawned a global phenomenon to the extent of installing a wax Master Chief Figure at Madame Tussauds in Las Vegas.

Now, amidst all the good as well as bad reviews of Halo 3, rumors have surfaced that the hit duo Microsoft and Bungie will be splitting up.

This was first reported by gaming site 8BitJoystick who reported that the source- who doesn’t actually work at Bungie Studios but “knows” someone who does- said that Microsoft has agreed to allow Bungie to become an independent studio.

According to a number of well-known sites, Microsoft has stated that it will keep the rights to the commercially-successful Halo franchise. The source even claimed that the reason for the two companies going their own way came about due to increased friction during the rush to release Halo 3.

It was reported on 8BitJoystick that Bungie was leaving Microsoft so that it could create new game series without being controlled by Microsoft and actually being tied to developing games for the Xbox console.

Microsoft has apparently released a statement saying, “There’s been no such announcement. We continue to celebrate the tremendous success of the global phenomenon that is Halo 3.”

When Bungie was contacted by the Kotaku gaming blog, the company refused to deny any rumors, and then referred all queries to the Bungie’s PR agency.

It’s been a long time since Bungie and Microsoft have worked together, as ever since 200, the two companies worked side by side. Now, if these rumors do turn out to be true, it might be a huge setback for Microsoft.