In a move that is apparently as surprising as the Master Chief unmasking on “Halo,” video game giants Activision and Bungie have announced a 10-year distribution deal. The Activision Bungie deal gives Activision “exclusive worldwide rights to publish and distribute.” Bungie will get to keep its intellectual property rights when this is a instant cash for Activision. This deal, while maintaining game quality, should bring Bungie's games to a lot more platforms.
Bungie Activision partnership
On the Bungie Blog, specific details of the Bungie Activision partnership were announced. Bungie, a game developer that is best-known for creating the “Halo” series for XBox, has been recently working on an unannounced “Intellectual Property” that is probably a new video game. The Bungie Activision partnership is situated on this new intellectual property. The Halo series, including the new game “Halo Reach,” will continue to be developed and distributed by Bungie and Microsoft’s 343 Industries.
Bungie and Activision to work on distribution
For nine months the Bungie Activision deal has been within the works. Activision is a "third party" publisher of video games that creates multiple platform video games. Bungie games used to only be accessible on Microsoft's Xbox system. Bungie will most likely be bringing its new games to XBox, Playstation, PC and possibly other video gaming platforms by partnering with Activision.
Activision lawsuit concerns avoided by Bungie
The deal between Activision and Bungie comes at a time that Activision is facing a multi-million dollar lawsuit based on the release of “Modern Warfare 2.” Activision's game development divisions are affected by the legal difficulties of the Activision/Infinity Ward group. The deal with Bungie and Activision looks to make use of Bungie’s game development and Activision’s distribution – effectively shoring up each of the company’s weakest point. In the next 10 years of video gaming, the Bungie/Activision deal is likely to make a lot of news, either way.
Sources for the article
ARS Technica
http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2010/04/activision-and-bungie-ink-surprising-10-year-publishing-deal.ars
Computer and Video Games
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=244809
Bungie.net
http://www.bungie.net/News/Blog.aspx
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