Bungie Says ‘Halo Is Now Yours’ As It Prepares The Handoff To Microsoft

As it did a year before, on Bungie Day (July 7), the Halo creators made available to the public the Bungie armour and Nameplate in multiplayer, and prepared to wind down its stewardship of the Halo franchise it created with a sentimental note that hinted at future projects.

“As we prepare to become fans of the universe our studio began creating more than ten years ago,” Bungie wrote, “it’s nice to know that we’ll be counted 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.”

In addition to the armour unlock, Bungie Day saw the sale of memorabilia and Xbox Live Avatar items, with the proceeds going to charity. On Aug. 2 the studio will fully hand over all administration of Halo to its owner, Microsoft, releasing one last Halo ViDoc entitled “O Brave New Worlds.” Then it will begin working on its next project.

“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,” Bungie wrote in its latest weekly update.

Halo is yours now. In many ways, it always has been. Its new caretakers 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.

See You Starside [Bungie]