It's been twenty long years since Bungie was created. Known for more than just their work on Halo, the studio developed both the Marathon and Myth franchises, which earned them a solid reputation as game developers even prior to their hit on the Xbox.
Last week, the studio marked its 20th anniversary with Bungie Day, to celebrate its work.
“Thank you for making our 20th Anniversary, and this year’s Bungie Day, kick so much ass,” wrote Eric Osborne on Bungie.net.
"As we prepare to become fans of the universe our studio began creating more than ten years ago, it's nice to know that we'll recounted among such esteemed company.
"Some might consider the upcoming transition a bittersweet occasion punctuated by a sense of loss and sadness. We feel otherwise. Halo is in great hands… yours.
"Halo is yours now. In many ways, it always has been. Its new caretakes will strive, just as we did, to be worthy stewards but you have the package. Hold these characters and stories and worlds to the same unflinching standards you did while we were at the helm, but allow them all to blossom and change and grow in the ways that they must."
Halo is currently under the care of 343 Industries, an internal studio at Microsoft. The studio is currently developing a remake of the original Halo, titled Anniversary, and Halo 4. Both games are set for an Xbox 360 release. Halo 4 will be the first game in a newly planned Halo trilogy.
Bungie's departure from Microsoft will not mean the end of the studio. Instead, they have signed a ten year contract with Activision to publish their future titles.
"We'll be undergoing a metamorphosis of our own. Very soon Bungie.net will change, culminating with the launch of our next universe at some unknown time in the future.
"The first small steps will be taken, with Halo playlist management changing hands on August 2nd, the very same day we plan to deploy our parting thoughts on the twenty years through a ViDoc titled, 'O Brave New Worlds.'"
"Afterwards, we'll be going dark on our studio's next major endeavor—the creation of a brand new universe. You'll still have a home here should you choose to stay, but our next project demands an unwavering focus. We owe it to ourselves to make something better than we ever have before. We owe it to you, as well.
"So, this isn't a goodbye. This isn't The End. Instead, it's the very beginning of a new journey that will stretch the limits of what we are capable of. Ancient engines are now rumbling deep within the heart of our studio, and their energy will power us through the upcoming darkness. Like all dark times ours will be broken first by a single strand of light—a tether reaching out to bind us all together again."
"One day, we will awaken in a wondrous new place and we will remember just what it was that drew us together at the beginning of it all. We will look up to the heavens, and find hope.
"Thank you for everything.
"See you starside."
How poetic.
