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Microsoft Prevented Bungie From Unveiling New Halo Game at E3
Here is the truth about what is really going on with Bungie and Microsoft at E3.
Bungie is developing a new Halo action game and since they separated from Microsoft they have licensed the Halo brand from Microsoft who is going to publish the game. Bungie had a sixty second knock’em down teaser trailer made that was going to unveil the game and it was going to be the close to Microsoft media keynote at E3. This was going to be followed up by Bungie doing their separate press event later on in the week on Wednesday to show off the new game.
Keep in mind that I am talking about a possible third Halo game in the works that is separate from Microsoft and Peter Jackson’s Halo : Chronicles or Ensemble Studio’s Halo Wars.
However the Microsoft executive that was in charge of their show at E3 is Don Mattrick and apparently there is some possible drama going on behind their evolving relationship with the now independent Bungie. The only person above Don Mattrick in Xbox is Robbie Bach then the chain of command goes to Steve Balmer and the board of directors. Don ordered the new Bungie Halo game to be cut from the E3 briefing at the last moment and essentially gag ordered Bungie from showing the game off that week. Don didn't want a non-Microsoft studio game to overshadow all of the Microsoft Studio developed games. He then went on to make a little quip about having an E3 breifing that was not all about Halo. This is sort of like inviting someone to the prom and leaving them at home at the last minute while they can’t get another date.
There is no Halo themed media event that is currently on the calendar. Bungie has been working towards a big media push about this game with the unveiling of the Superintendent character and they have been trying to build a buzz within their fanbase.
Microsoft’s has never really explained why they prevented Bungie from going on with their media event on Wednesday at E3. It has to be a new Halo game since if it was an new IP Microsoft would not have their hands on the control of the brand and would not have had the power to silence Bungie about it. So soon Bungie and Microsoft will come to terms about when and how Microsoft is going to unveil this new Bungie developed Halo game and then show it to the public. As in any healthy relationship communication and honestly is the key.
Jake at July 18, 2008 
Games
Comments
Wait... what Microsoft Studio-developed games were shown? Fable 2 and what else? The casual titles You're In The Movies and Scene It? Lips is developed by Inis so I'm assuming that doesn't count. Gears is developed by Epic Games. I don't see what MS Studios game they didn't want a Bungie game to upstage. And if it were those casual games... I mean the target market is different so I feel like it shouldn't matter.
Posted by: SAGExSDX at July 18, 2008 10:08 AM
Gears of War 2 is being co-developed by Epic and Microsoft but published by Microsoft. Still it sucked that they got shut out of E3 by Don Mattrick.
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at July 18, 2008 10:12 AM
I agree that it sucks. I really hope it doesn't affect their relationship too much.
Posted by: SAGExSDX at July 18, 2008 11:15 AM
So how is it that some random guy happens to know the "truth" about something he has little connection to? Was he there? Does he have first hand witnesses?....probable not and there is, conveniently, no way to verify anything. Kinda like those supermarket tabloids that claim they know exactly what movie actors were saying while nobody was around.
Posted by: Rob at July 19, 2008 12:57 AM
Maybe they are keeping this to TGS event !
Stealing spot from Sony !!!
maybe a 'coup de grace' to sony.
Posted by: Noz at July 19, 2008 5:07 AM
I can see where Don is coming from, but what I don't get is why does this seem sooo last minute?
Posted by: ushman360 at July 19, 2008 12:25 PM
Well last year after Halo 3 shipped I broke the news that Bungie was leaving Microsoft a week before the announcement and last month I interviewed one of the heads of Bungie. So I might know what I am talking about.
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at July 20, 2008 3:03 AM
So you might know what you're talking about... but it sounds like you just made this up.
Posted by: Bob at July 22, 2008 2:56 AM
And when the new game is announced you are going to sound like a whiny little punk.
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at July 22, 2008 9:36 AM
