“New information has come to light revealing the Apple CEO was furious to lose Mac-loving Bungie to Microsoft back when Halo was an unknown quantity,” Crossley reports.
MacDailyNews Take: It wasn’t an “unknown quantity” to Jobs or to anyone else who was at Macworld Expo ’99 where the first Halo movie debuted. We know, we were there. It’s no wonder Jobs was pissed, we certainly were.
Crossley continues, “Ed Fries, the former vice president of game publishing at Microsoft, and the man central to Microsoft’s acquisition of Rare and Bungie, told Develop he had to personally broker a deal with Apple back in 2000 to appease the indomitable Macintosh boss. ‘As soon as we announced we bought Bungie, Steve Jobs called,’ Fries said. ‘He was mad at [Microsoft CEO Steve] Ballmer and phoned him up and was angry because we’d just bought the premier Mac game developer and made them an Xbox developer.'”
Full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]
Typical Microsoft tactic. Buy your way to dominance.
Typical Microsoft tactic. Buy your way to dominance.
Win some, lose some.
But I haven’t seen Apple buy a game maker since.
Not that they don’t have the cash to do it.
Win some, lose some.
But I haven’t seen Apple buy a game maker since.
Not that they don’t have the cash to do it.
So buy Sony and kick there ass at their own game. Pardon the pun.
So buy Sony and kick there ass at their own game. Pardon the pun.
Buy Adobe just to discontinue all Windows products.
Buy Adobe just to discontinue all Windows products.
I imagine Steve’s got something bigger up his sleeves (i.e., a full blown attack) not a piecemeal acquisition of a game maker, that will leave rivals stunned. Steve holds grudges and will go after this Microsoft stronghold for sure. At some point, he will go after search to spite Google as well.
I imagine Steve’s got something bigger up his sleeves (i.e., a full blown attack) not a piecemeal acquisition of a game maker, that will leave rivals stunned. Steve holds grudges and will go after this Microsoft stronghold for sure. At some point, he will go after search to spite Google as well.
Ten years ago is a long time.
Ten years ago is a long time.
Sony is tired… and way too fragmented to be valuable to Apple. I call bulls*it!
Sony is tired… and way too fragmented to be valuable to Apple. I call bulls*it!
To little too late eh Apple? Make your own console instead of being pissed. If your so good at hardware making with revolutionary designs then making a console should be no problem right????.
To little too late eh Apple? Make your own console instead of being pissed. If your so good at hardware making with revolutionary designs then making a console should be no problem right????.
@Jacob456
They already have, it’s called the Apple TV.
If you think that the Mac will get an app store and not the ATV, you will be surprised.
MDN magic word “was” as in “there was a time you needed a great big box to play video games on your TV”
@Jacob456
They already have, it’s called the Apple TV.
If you think that the Mac will get an app store and not the ATV, you will be surprised.
MDN magic word “was” as in “there was a time you needed a great big box to play video games on your TV”
This was a long time ago. In truth I really don’t blame them for going to Microsoft for the XBox development. Apple went down the route of personal music player, Microsoft went down the gaming industry. XBox 360 isn’t a bad system at all, it’s a good gaming system with some great games, no blue screen of death, they went with red rings, but the new design is pretty good.
Apple never really promoted gaming in their systems, so yeah go where the money is going to be.
The tides are turning though as you can see, look at EA, they going to mad crazy giving iOS it’s own team. So yeah now Apple is going to be the wanted Company to be acquired by.
This was a long time ago. In truth I really don’t blame them for going to Microsoft for the XBox development. Apple went down the route of personal music player, Microsoft went down the gaming industry. XBox 360 isn’t a bad system at all, it’s a good gaming system with some great games, no blue screen of death, they went with red rings, but the new design is pretty good.
Apple never really promoted gaming in their systems, so yeah go where the money is going to be.
The tides are turning though as you can see, look at EA, they going to mad crazy giving iOS it’s own team. So yeah now Apple is going to be the wanted Company to be acquired by.
I’m still a bit pissed about Bungie selling out to MS.
Myth: The Fallen Lords & Myth 2: Soulblighter…
Two of the best games, evah.
I’m still a bit pissed about Bungie selling out to MS.
Myth: The Fallen Lords & Myth 2: Soulblighter…
Two of the best games, evah.
I was so pissed about the whole thing I vowed never to play halo.
Bungie was my fav developer until that crap.
I was so pissed about the whole thing I vowed never to play halo.
Bungie was my fav developer until that crap.
It’s interesting that they “unsold” themselves a few years ago. I wonder what’s next, besides Marathon 4.
It’s interesting that they “unsold” themselves a few years ago. I wonder what’s next, besides Marathon 4.
This was really so long ago, there isn’t any relevance today. This was before iPad, before iPhone, even before iPod (the original one). Actually, it was even before OS X! They just released blue-and-white G3 PowerMacs back then.
I have a feeling majority readers here don’t even remember those times (some were too young to remember, others were still Windows users back then…).
This was really so long ago, there isn’t any relevance today. This was before iPad, before iPhone, even before iPod (the original one). Actually, it was even before OS X! They just released blue-and-white G3 PowerMacs back then.
I have a feeling majority readers here don’t even remember those times (some were too young to remember, others were still Windows users back then…).
… Apple never bought a company and closed it to MSFT. Was it Logic? Or Final Cut? Or BOTH? Of course, those aren’t “games”.
The thing about games franchises is that, unlike production software, a game generally has a finite “life cycle”. Great games can be expanded upon and updated for quite a while before The New Game comes in and grabs a whole bunch of the market’s attention. Merely Good games are in and out in a season or two. Most PC games are downhill after the third or fourth review.
… Apple never bought a company and closed it to MSFT. Was it Logic? Or Final Cut? Or BOTH? Of course, those aren’t “games”.
The thing about games franchises is that, unlike production software, a game generally has a finite “life cycle”. Great games can be expanded upon and updated for quite a while before The New Game comes in and grabs a whole bunch of the market’s attention. Merely Good games are in and out in a season or two. Most PC games are downhill after the third or fourth review.
Why did Apple need to create it’s own console when Halo was being released for the computer?
It would be an interesting thing to go into bizarro world to see what would have happened if Bungie told MS to piss off.
Why did Apple need to create it’s own console when Halo was being released for the computer?
It would be an interesting thing to go into bizarro world to see what would have happened if Bungie told MS to piss off.
And they moved them from Chicago!
Myth was the sheet though, I agree…
And they moved them from Chicago!
Myth was the sheet though, I agree…
Wait, what? This story is so old. And poorly written too.
Wait, what? This story is so old. And poorly written too.
Blockbuster or not, to this day microsoft is far from breaking even on the xbox when calculating its mind-boggling development costs and years of selling boxes at a loss. Eventual break-even is still doubtful.
Blockbuster or not, to this day microsoft is far from breaking even on the xbox when calculating its mind-boggling development costs and years of selling boxes at a loss. Eventual break-even is still doubtful.
This is the real reason I have a seething festering hatred of Microsoft. Acquiring Bungie and shutting out Mac gamers. For many of us oldtimers, Marathon rules.
I was almost as mad at LucasArts when they broke their promise to ship a Mac version of Jedi Knight
This is the real reason I have a seething festering hatred of Microsoft. Acquiring Bungie and shutting out Mac gamers. For many of us oldtimers, Marathon rules.
I was almost as mad at LucasArts when they broke their promise to ship a Mac version of Jedi Knight
All Hail Marathon and Aleph One!
(Still plays the original a few times a year…)
From North Pole
All Hail Marathon and Aleph One!
(Still plays the original a few times a year…)
From North Pole
@ Steve
So did I! What a dick move!!!!
@ Steve
So did I! What a dick move!!!!
Revenge is sweet (iPod touch, iPad, iPhone, Apple TV…)
Revenge is sweet (iPod touch, iPad, iPhone, Apple TV…)
Microsoft Strategy circa 1999: Let’s buy our way into the video gaming industry! Let’s screw Sony, Nintendo, Sega and Apple!
Method:
I) Make a cheap hardware gaming box that sells it at less than cost!
II) Make our profit off selling games priced at a ridiculous markup!
III) Buy Bungie and make Halo the KILLER GAME, only available on OUR box!
IV) Bribe and coerce other developers to write for our box! We’re good at that!
V) Toss in a bunch of crap games of our own to fill out the box inventory. We’re good at that too!
VI) Name the box something mysterious and exciting. Like… X! Bwahahaha! The Xbox.
VII) Ooo! And let’s give it an impressive looking logo, like A CRACK OPENING! Holy crap! Scary.
And thus The Dark Age of Video Gaming had begun.
Microsoft Strategy circa 1999: Let’s buy our way into the video gaming industry! Let’s screw Sony, Nintendo, Sega and Apple!
Method:
I) Make a cheap hardware gaming box that sells it at less than cost!
II) Make our profit off selling games priced at a ridiculous markup!
III) Buy Bungie and make Halo the KILLER GAME, only available on OUR box!
IV) Bribe and coerce other developers to write for our box! We’re good at that!
V) Toss in a bunch of crap games of our own to fill out the box inventory. We’re good at that too!
VI) Name the box something mysterious and exciting. Like… X! Bwahahaha! The Xbox.
VII) Ooo! And let’s give it an impressive looking logo, like A CRACK OPENING! Holy crap! Scary.
And thus The Dark Age of Video Gaming had begun.
“So buy Sony “
Why take all the baggage.Sony has. Apple should buy Nintendo instead. Replace DS hardware with iTouch/iPad/iPhone. Wii with Mac Mini. If they really want to get back at MS, buy Sega and kill all the XBox games (not sure why bother).
“So buy Sony “
Why take all the baggage.Sony has. Apple should buy Nintendo instead. Replace DS hardware with iTouch/iPad/iPhone. Wii with Mac Mini. If they really want to get back at MS, buy Sega and kill all the XBox games (not sure why bother).
On another note: Apple, Steve, PLEASE BUY ADOBE (before Microsoft makes the move) AND SAVE US FROM MEDIOCRITY!!
On another note: Apple, Steve, PLEASE BUY ADOBE (before Microsoft makes the move) AND SAVE US FROM MEDIOCRITY!!
He who hesitates is lost! Just do it.
He who hesitates is lost! Just do it.
Their. There. They’re.
Your. You’re.
It’s. Its.
Third grade, man. I learned spelling and grammar in third grade.
I’d suggest learning English if you want it to be the Official Language in this country.
Their. There. They’re.
Your. You’re.
It’s. Its.
Third grade, man. I learned spelling and grammar in third grade.
I’d suggest learning English if you want it to be the Official Language in this country.
I think in 2007 the Bungie guys REBELLED at the Empire.
Wikipedia:
“On October 1, 2007, a mere six days after the release of Halo 3, Microsoft and Bungie announced that Bungie was splitting off from its parent and becoming a privately-held Limited Liability Company named Bungie LLC.[22] As outlined in a deal between the two, Microsoft would retain a minority stake and continue to partner with Bungie on publishing and marketing both Halo and future projects, with the Halo intellectual property belonging to Microsoft.[23]”
‘On April 29, 2010, Bungie announced that it was entering into a 10-year publishing agreement with publisher Activision Blizzard to bring a new IP to multiple platforms.[30][31] Under Bungie’s agreement with Activision, new intellectual property developed by Bungie will be owned by Bungie”
I think in 2007 the Bungie guys REBELLED at the Empire.
Wikipedia:
“On October 1, 2007, a mere six days after the release of Halo 3, Microsoft and Bungie announced that Bungie was splitting off from its parent and becoming a privately-held Limited Liability Company named Bungie LLC.[22] As outlined in a deal between the two, Microsoft would retain a minority stake and continue to partner with Bungie on publishing and marketing both Halo and future projects, with the Halo intellectual property belonging to Microsoft.[23]”
‘On April 29, 2010, Bungie announced that it was entering into a 10-year publishing agreement with publisher Activision Blizzard to bring a new IP to multiple platforms.[30][31] Under Bungie’s agreement with Activision, new intellectual property developed by Bungie will be owned by Bungie”
Was ballmer CEO 10 Years ago? I thought his “leadership” title was a recent development, or at least in the last few years.
Was ballmer CEO 10 Years ago? I thought his “leadership” title was a recent development, or at least in the last few years.
I am really missing something here; granted, I didn’t read the entire linked article, only MDN’s, but like someone already said – 11 years ago, and this is news?
I am really missing something here; granted, I didn’t read the entire linked article, only MDN’s, but like someone already said – 11 years ago, and this is news?
I have no problem rocking out on my XBox. It’s a piece of garbage from a hardware standpoint and a black hole for Microsoft’s Entertainment and Device division, but it’s also a big-time developer magnet. Halo’s a great game.
If Apple were to do a gaming rig – which they won’t because they’re not stupid – I’d certainly pick one up.
And for what it’s worth, Jobs’ capacity to detect blockbuster potential extends beyond consumer electronics. Ever hear of Pixar?
I have no problem rocking out on my XBox. It’s a piece of garbage from a hardware standpoint and a black hole for Microsoft’s Entertainment and Device division, but it’s also a big-time developer magnet. Halo’s a great game.
If Apple were to do a gaming rig – which they won’t because they’re not stupid – I’d certainly pick one up.
And for what it’s worth, Jobs’ capacity to detect blockbuster potential extends beyond consumer electronics. Ever hear of Pixar?
It worked out for the best.
It worked out for the best.
@auramac
Third grade, man. I learned spelling and grammar in third grade.
I’d suggest learning English if you want it to be the Official Language in this country.
BFD! You learned spelling and grammar two-years ago. You can take your “Official Language” and shove it up your hillbilly ass.
\
IIRC, Halo for Mac had been in the works for at least a couple of years, including a couple of delays, before Microsoft snatched up Bungie.
@auramac
Third grade, man. I learned spelling and grammar in third grade.
I’d suggest learning English if you want it to be the Official Language in this country.
BFD! You learned spelling and grammar two-years ago. You can take your “Official Language” and shove it up your hillbilly ass.
\
IIRC, Halo for Mac had been in the works for at least a couple of years, including a couple of delays, before Microsoft snatched up Bungie.
Apple should complete the (currently partial) implementation of two year old OpenGL 3 into OS X, rather than relying on ancient OpenGL 2.1 — good for CAD and serious work as well as gaming.
Apple should have a plan to get the (current) OpenGL 4.0 API — that provides feature parity with DirectX 11 — into OS X Lion latest, but an update with OpenGL 4.0 to Snow Leopard would be useful.
Apple should complete the (currently partial) implementation of two year old OpenGL 3 into OS X, rather than relying on ancient OpenGL 2.1 — good for CAD and serious work as well as gaming.
Apple should have a plan to get the (current) OpenGL 4.0 API — that provides feature parity with DirectX 11 — into OS X Lion latest, but an update with OpenGL 4.0 to Snow Leopard would be useful.
I too was there in 1999 (only Keynote I have ever attended live)
The crowd went absolutely nuts when they ran that Halo video. It was pretty incredible back then.
I certainly remember when MS bought Bungie and killed off plans for Halo for Mac. I remember thinking, “wow, Il bet someone is pissed-off”. (a lot of people actually)
I too was there in 1999 (only Keynote I have ever attended live)
The crowd went absolutely nuts when they ran that Halo video. It was pretty incredible back then.
I certainly remember when MS bought Bungie and killed off plans for Halo for Mac. I remember thinking, “wow, Il bet someone is pissed-off”. (a lot of people actually)
Way to bring us timely news! It’s only ELEVEN years old
Way to bring us timely news! It’s only ELEVEN years old
Dealsw in this arena are alwaysw made through investment bankers. Their interest in concluding the best deal possibe is the fees they earn from the M&A. To get the best ‘deal’ they would have shopped Bungie around. Certainly Apple would have been on their short list of potential buyers. The MSFT deal did not happen in a vacuum. When presented with Bungie Apple would have correctly assumed that MSFT had also been approached.
That Apple did not enter into a similar agreement with Bungie means that MSFT paid more than Apple felt it was worth.
Any claims that Jobs “raged” over MSFT’s purchase is pure hyperbole.
Dealsw in this arena are alwaysw made through investment bankers. Their interest in concluding the best deal possibe is the fees they earn from the M&A. To get the best ‘deal’ they would have shopped Bungie around. Certainly Apple would have been on their short list of potential buyers. The MSFT deal did not happen in a vacuum. When presented with Bungie Apple would have correctly assumed that MSFT had also been approached.
That Apple did not enter into a similar agreement with Bungie means that MSFT paid more than Apple felt it was worth.
Any claims that Jobs “raged” over MSFT’s purchase is pure hyperbole.
I am still playing Halo 1.
I would like to play the newer ones, but only on a Mac. I won’t buy a xbox.
I am still playing Halo 1.
I would like to play the newer ones, but only on a Mac. I won’t buy a xbox.
@ GlassHollow
You can play Halo 2 on your Mac if you run Boot Camp with Windows Vista installed.
@ GlassHollow
You can play Halo 2 on your Mac if you run Boot Camp with Windows Vista installed.
Yes, I almost went that way. . . I just cant pull the trigger and buy a copy of windows. Maybe I’m to old. lol
Yes, I almost went that way. . . I just cant pull the trigger and buy a copy of windows. Maybe I’m to old. lol
@s
Buy Nintendo?
Are you serious? They are utter crap!
Between Buying Sony or Nintendo… neither! I think Apple should simply buy Activision-Blizzard plus BioWare… There, now you’ve got KotOR, Mass Effect, Dragon Age, The Old Republic, Starcraft, Warcraft, Diablo, Modern Warfare and etc guaranteed on the Mac (though Blizzard already does Mac releases— and I love’em for that)
@s
Buy Nintendo?
Are you serious? They are utter crap!
Between Buying Sony or Nintendo… neither! I think Apple should simply buy Activision-Blizzard plus BioWare… There, now you’ve got KotOR, Mass Effect, Dragon Age, The Old Republic, Starcraft, Warcraft, Diablo, Modern Warfare and etc guaranteed on the Mac (though Blizzard already does Mac releases— and I love’em for that)
It was horrible. Instead of releasing a Mac version, we got nothing and they got no income until the Windows version was ready years later.
It was horrible. Instead of releasing a Mac version, we got nothing and they got no income until the Windows version was ready years later.
The beginning of my disgust for Microsoft. Someone was going to port the Marathon series to Windows – that potential pisses me off.
The beginning of my disgust for Microsoft. Someone was going to port the Marathon series to Windows – that potential pisses me off.
The Xbox would have died with no 360 around the corner if it wasn’t for Halo. Halo brought it back from the brink, literally. Who knows if Halo had come out for the Mac back then perhaps Macs would be a stronger platform for gaming? The reason that the 360 became such a success was due to the promise of Halo sequels. After getting a strong foothold MS was able to get developers to come over especially with the mess Sony was and still is in.
The Xbox would have died with no 360 around the corner if it wasn’t for Halo. Halo brought it back from the brink, literally. Who knows if Halo had come out for the Mac back then perhaps Macs would be a stronger platform for gaming? The reason that the 360 became such a success was due to the promise of Halo sequels. After getting a strong foothold MS was able to get developers to come over especially with the mess Sony was and still is in.
Out of all the PC developers, Microsoft had to acquire the one who brought AAA titles to the Mac? Apple could get back at Microsoft by acquiring Adobe and forcing all PC-based Photoshop users to migrate to the Mac. Then again, this is not a cat-fight and people get paid a lot of money to make smart business decisions about this sort of thing.
Out of all the PC developers, Microsoft had to acquire the one who brought AAA titles to the Mac? Apple could get back at Microsoft by acquiring Adobe and forcing all PC-based Photoshop users to migrate to the Mac. Then again, this is not a cat-fight and people get paid a lot of money to make smart business decisions about this sort of thing.