E308: Bungie's E3 announcement deferred by publisher [Update 4]
by Xav de Matos 
{ Jul 15th 2008 at 10:09PM }
Update 4: Xbox head Don Mattrick confirmed that Bungie is working on a new Halo title. Whether this is related to the announcement is unclear.
Update 3: Luke Smith has commented to Joystiq: "We still have an exclusive publishing agreement with Microsoft, as we confirmed when we announced the split last year. That arrangement has not changed." Also, all teased images of an announcement have now been removed from Bungie.net and within Halo 3. View images in the gallery below.
Update 2: Luke Smith replied to a comment made in NeoGAF confirming the publisher in question is in fact Microsoft. Reponding to the comment, "Bungie is the one who made this great little hype machine. And--although this will just add to the fire--they never say it's Microsoft." Smith replied, "Our publisher is Microsoft."
Update: Bungie community lead Luke Smith has confirmed the postponement is legitimate. "We already are deeply disappointed with how things unfolded to this point without getting our fans to the intended payoff." When forum goers at NeoGAF assumed it was a joke Smith responded with the above comment and added, "Nope. Not our style." It's real everyone. Sorry.
It appears that the wait is over. Forgoing the original plan of waiting for the countdown clock to reach zero, Bungie.net has been updated with new information regarding the mysterious Superintendent. According to the newly refreshed site, the Superintendent is ... well, we don't know. According to the site Bungie was working toward a reveal when its publishing partner, presumably Microsoft, canceled the announcement.
Right now on Bungie.net a letter from Bungie president, Harold Ryan is displayed and reveals the cancellation of the announcement.
Note: To clarify the speculation that Harold Ryan is not the president (effectively the studio manager) of Bungie LLC, you may want to listen to the January 18, 2008 Bungie Podcast [link opens iTunes]
Jump in to read the letter.
Gallery: Bungie Announcement Cancellation
From: Harold Ryan
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 7PM
Subject: E3 Announce
Over the last several months, we've been building toward a reveal of something exciting that Bungie is working on. We were looking forward to sharing that with out fan community during the week of E3. However, those plans were just changed by our publisher.
We realize that many of our fans are disappointed by this turn of events; members of the Bungie team share that disappointment.
When the right time comes, we look forward to sharing this exciting announcement with you. Until then, we appreciate your continued support and patience.
Harold Ryan
President
Bungie LLC
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Alf eats cat @ Jul 15th 2008 10:12PM
WTF?!?
This sucks.
m4xn00b @ Jul 15th 2008 10:15PM
Agreed. WTF indeed.
PeacefulOutrage @ Jul 15th 2008 11:12PM
I agree it sucks, but this is E3, not the official release. Many people keep talkinga bout how MS doesn't have any more games coming out, but if they keep this announcement close to their chest and announce at X08 (don't know if they are having one this year), PAX, Leipzig, or TGS, they will still have some time before the end of the year to release. This is Bungie, sales are guaranteed.
xXLunchBox87Xx @ Jul 15th 2008 10:13PM
This sucks. What are the odds that they are playing a joke and will indeed reveal something tomorrow.
aaron @ Jul 15th 2008 10:19PM
its more likely imo that since sony and nintendo had such a poor showing this year ms decided to cancel the announcement and do it later in the year now. they already basically "won" e3.... they can now save it for some other show and have that be the big announcement.
i bet it was setup that way from the beginning.... only show it if they really needed it.
Jason @ Jul 15th 2008 10:13PM
Thanks for the Halo Blueballs
bigmac375 @ Jul 15th 2008 11:48PM
no shit.
itsburnsie @ Jul 15th 2008 10:13PM
This is by far the weirdest news to come out of E3...
What could possibly motivate them to cancel a HUGE pre-planned announcement like this?
itsburnsie @ Jul 15th 2008 10:21PM
Upon closer inspection of the source material... I think Bungie's playing games with us (those sly devils).
I guess we'll find out one way or the other soon enough...
Quick Fixer @ Jul 15th 2008 10:17PM
I suspect we're being fooled.
The message was updated exactly 12 hours before the announcement, meaning 7PM PST. Bungie's a big fan of sevens. Besides, now that they're independent, do they even have a publisher?
I'll be interested to see what happens tomorrow.
Josh @ Jul 15th 2008 10:27PM
Yes... their publisher is the one who produces and distributes discs and the like. Bungie just creates the material that goes on it.
Jim Halpert DM @ Jul 15th 2008 10:31PM
The 7 o' clock exact thing does seem odd
Arnon @ Jul 16th 2008 1:04AM
Omg you're right.. it DID stop at 7..
Mr.U2 @ Jul 15th 2008 10:20PM
This announcement makes me feel like I have been punched in the face, and kicked in the crotch by Bungie. And then laughed at.
Mike @ Jul 15th 2008 10:23PM
NOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooo....
...sad panda
Bucfann @ Jul 15th 2008 10:27PM
This thing was scripted. I believe Bungie had planned this from the beginning. The timer hit 12 (7 pacific) and the message popped up dated for 7 pm. This is just Bungie up to their old tricks.
And seriously, their PUBLISHER? LOL they dont have a publisher. They are just building up talk until they announce this
Remember the pop ups from earlier, one said Expect Delays.....its Bungie and their damn riddles.
Zac LaCombe @ Jul 15th 2008 11:38PM
Really? They don't have a publisher? So they make their discs by forging them in the fires of Washington? No. Microsoft is their publisher.
Bucfann @ Jul 15th 2008 10:29PM
Oh and Harold Ryan isnt even the President...
http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/Harold_Ryan
Swede33 @ Jul 15th 2008 10:41PM
Harold Ryan IS the head of the studio. I don't think they would lie on the Bungie podcast. http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?i=22227219&id=260716482
Xav de Matos @ Jul 15th 2008 10:43PM
Sorry guys but he is.
http://tinyurl.com/5j48fp
Swede33 @ Jul 15th 2008 10:31PM
Bungie wouldn't let us down, would they? WOULD THEY? *rocks back and forth in fetal position*
Bucfann @ Jul 15th 2008 10:31PM
Its Bungie up to their tricks..LOOK
Harold Ryan isnt even the President of Bungie, he is a tester..
http://halo.wikia.com/wiki/Harold_Ryan
Xav de Matos @ Jul 15th 2008 10:44PM
He is.
http://tinyurl.com/5j48fp
Tony @ Jul 15th 2008 10:32PM
It makes sense that Bungie would have a publisher. Not all developers publisher their own games. In fact, most don't.
Diance @ Jul 15th 2008 10:42PM
I know I will feel foolish posting this on a "fanboy" site but just about everything I've read so far in terms of Bungie's new direction is pointing to EA as their publisher.
If I had to guess I wouldn't hold my breath if your are expecting a new release to have anything to do with Microsoft Game Studio's. I for one actually hope they do part ways. I've been waiting for them to get free for a very long time. Here's to Myth IV possibly returning the franchise to its true home.
Not posting this as a flame but just the whole post seems to go on a mind frame that they are connected at the hip which obviously isn't true.
Joe @ Jul 16th 2008 1:50AM
THEY HAVE AN EXCLUSIVE AGREEMENT with Microsoft Game Studios. Sry for caps
Bishop @ Jul 15th 2008 11:00PM
True about Harold Ryan and why break the news exactly 12 hours before.
They took the time to have their creative teams work there magic with the splash page...
Anticrawl @ Jul 15th 2008 10:58PM
Wait wait wait, I think everyone is confusing the term president with "studio manager" which Mr. Ryan is in fact.
Sean @ Jul 15th 2008 11:18PM
I looked at the source code yesterday and July 15th, 7pm. I thought it was strange since it was 1 hours off. Now we know why.
ChromeRatt @ Jul 15th 2008 11:03PM
Don't know what to make of it, but I found something in the source for the page. There is a hidden form field on the page. Nothing odd about that. The name of the field is "_BNETSTATE" and the value is a really log ungly string...
H4sIAAAAAAAEAO29B2AcSZYlJi9tynt/SvVK1+B0oQiAYBMk2JBAEOzBiM3mkuwdaUcjKasqgcplVmVdZhZAzO2dvPfee++999577733ujudTif33/8/XGZkAWz2zkrayZ4hgKrIHz9+fB8/Iv7vX/M3/U1/3R97cHBv/97O/Xv3ZrP/B7gdJOoRAAAA
I leave it up to the haxorz to figure out if it means anything or not.
Brook @ Jul 15th 2008 11:12PM
H4sIAAAAAAAEAO29B2AcSZYlJi9tynt/SvVK1+B0oQiAYBMk2JBAEOzBiM3mkuwdaUcjKasqgcplVmVdZhZAzO2dvPfee
????
First 2 symbols....H4
Halo4!!!!!
StLouisRibs7734 @ Jul 15th 2008 11:10PM
As the SI said
"There will be delays"
Shane @ Jul 15th 2008 11:36PM
Harold Ryan isn't even the President of Bungie you tools.
He's a tester.
Wow, way to show shoddy journalism.
It's a joke folks.
TheHostileDwarf @ Jul 16th 2008 12:01AM
Xav, since when does "general manager" = president?
Your own link doesn't have the word "president" included in the whole page...
Xav de Matos @ Jul 16th 2008 12:08AM
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?i=22227219&id=260716482
Xav de Matos @ Jul 18th 2008 1:04AM
My journalism is shoddy for a lot of reasons, but this wasn't one. Just tell me, how embarrassed are you right now after making such a stink?
Flakundenga @ Jul 15th 2008 11:20PM
i think this definately has something to do with the halo universe. i thought about it and isince they are now independent they can publish with any company, but they had an agreement that anything related to the halo universe would stay with MS. hope i'm right!!!! HALO FTW!!!!
Joe @ Jul 16th 2008 1:52AM
MS owns the rights to Halo
SonyPS3Sucks @ Jul 15th 2008 11:32PM
PLEASE REMAIN CALM Don’t freak out, we will fix this.
EXPECT DELAYS So things didn’t go as planned…
OBEY POSTED LIMITS Don’t spam the forums, we will get it working.
PARDON OUR DUST Well we got it going, so give us some time.
PROCEED WITH CAUTION We’re working it back.
FINAL NOTICE: BILL PAST DUE Sorry, it was supposed to be at 07:07:07 but we will get it in ASAP.
KEEP IT CLEAN Don’t be frustrated all good things come with time.
EMERGENCY LIGHTS ACTIVE Move with caution.
NO PUBLIC ACCESS Well it’s almost that time, breathe.
SERVICES WILL RESUME Welcome to the new site.
SirDonShetland @ Jul 15th 2008 11:34PM
WTF!!!!
Sky Shark X2 @ Jul 15th 2008 11:34PM
This doesn't sit well with me...I have strong feelings of screwing around with us. MS has done a very abrupt annoucment of FF13 already perhaps they want to have some fun with us. And the fact that it happened at 7pm EST is very very suspicious the only way it could have been any more is if it was at 7:07:07(miliseconds)pm EST. Also if you have a dedicated fan base that you want to suprise already suspicous therefore less likely to be suprised you would want to do all in your power to reafirm the trickery to squash all doubt that it could be a hoax and then as planned make the annoucment ensuring that everyone is pleasantly suprised. =)
ben_man587 @ Jul 15th 2008 11:50PM
Kotaku's got a weird post up. Anonymously posted at 9:07 while all the rest of their post times are on 10's (9:00, 8:40, 8:30...)
http://kotaku.com/5025667/
Shashwat @ Jul 15th 2008 11:59PM
stupid M$. Getting us Halo fanboys all excited and then doing this. Not good Pr. M$ is pretty low in eyes these days. Don't expect me to buy a new xbox 720. might buy a used one so no money goes to u. Also from now on i will try my hardest to buy used games.
Shashwat @ Jul 16th 2008 12:00AM
Hopefully Bungie is messing with us. I mean the messages that were on the countdown screen all seem to forecast this. Along with all the 7s.
Kindergamer @ Jul 16th 2008 12:01AM
In the battle today we did not hold the line!!!
TheHostileDwarf @ Jul 16th 2008 12:07AM
Xav, since when does "general manager" = president?
I'm not saying your wrong but the story you've linked to does not use the term word "President" as he Mr. Ryan is using in his statement.
Xav de Matos @ Jul 16th 2008 12:08AM
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?i=22227219&id=260716482
TheHostileDwarf @ Jul 16th 2008 12:15AM
*you're* not *your* in my previous post...
The podcast won't work for me...I've probably got an outdated version of iTunes. I'll assume confirmation of his status is included.
Thanks.
I'm still calling B.S. on the announcement being canceled. It might not occur as previously scheduled, but soon...
snipr14 @ Jul 16th 2008 12:21AM
Harold Ryan? Resembles Andrew Ryan a bit...Would you kindly tell us what the next Bungie game/product is?
This makes me hate the Microsoft (the company i love) more than ever! Ill be up at 7:07:07 Tomorow mornig anyways...
AlternateVerifier @ Jul 16th 2008 12:22AM
Didn't this year's E3/MS press conference seem really strange to anyone? Halo Wars isn't mentioned. The Peter Jackson Halo project isn't mentioned. The Bungie project isn't mentioned. Does anyone else think that this might be because MS is planning on a huge Halo-only conference sometime after Gears 2 comes out?