Good luck Bungie
After much speculation and rumours Bungie and Microsoft have parted ways. Microsoft will retain an equity interest in the developer which means that cooperation will stil be close. Bungie will also continue to support Halo with downloadable content while Microsoft will keep the intellectual rights to the Halo francise.
Bungie is known mostly for its Halo series and it appears the people there wanted the independence to make other games as well. Microsoft was probably under the option of either refusing and risk losing all Bungie employees or agree to let the company go and have first rights to publishing any new games developed by Bungie.
I believe Bungie is not a one game company as many people believe. Let’s not forget that they were behind the now classic Marathon game and the Myst series. They want to do more than just Halo related products. I for one applaud the company’s bold move to riskier territory and new products instead of sticking with the Halo cash cow.
Good luck Bungie.