When it comes to thinking creatively, this isn’t exactly what I want to hear from inside Microsoft (well technically this statement comes from outside Microsoft now):
“Bungie has long been built on creativity, originality and the freedom to pursue ideas. Microsoft agreed, and rather than stifle our imagination, they decided it was in both our best interests to unleash it.”
The rumors are true, Bungie–the division developing Halo–is leaving Microsoft.
Here’s Microsoft’s official announcement.
I doubt much will change for XBox gamers, but I do wonder what Bungie is thinking that they want to do. Develop for other platforms? Develop other types of games? Take bigger risks? Which ones? What exactly was Microsoft stifling? Is this an issue over multiple platforms? And if so, what about advertising possibilities? What might Microsoft be giving up?
Is Microsoft in a creativity slump? Maybe. But I’m still betting that there are many employees within Microsoft itself that are are as creative as ever. Should these creative groups be split out of Microsoft too? Which groups would you pick next to be “unleashed?”