The rumors turned out to be true: Microsoft and Bungie Studios have announced a new agreement which will allow Bungie to break away from Microsoft as an independent company. Under the terms of the deal, Microsoft will keep a minority equity stake in Bungie, and the companies will extend the publishing agreement for the lucrative, Bungie-developed Halo franchise, as well as future properties developed by Bungie.
Microsoft just released the third (and supposedly final) installment in the Halo franchise for the Xbox 360; the game is already a financial success for Microsoft, pulling in over $300 million in sales during its first week and serving to drive Xbox 360 sales and Xbox Live memberships.
