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Posted by: RabidNutCase45
So my question is "Do you think Microsoft/Bungie might give the Halo lisence to some other dork devolepor if Bungie ends the series and goes on to do something else."
First, let me make a very minor correction to your terminology just so that you know what I'm talking about: Microsoft does not have a Halo license; it has the Halo rights (known broadly as "intellectual property rights"). This includes things like trademarks and copyrights. If Microsoft were to grant temporary or limited permission to another company to use the Halo brand, then they are granting a license for which the licensee usually pays a considerable sum. An example of this is Microsoft's current granting of licenses to the makers of Halo side materials (like novels, comic books, and action figures).
I believe (and I could be wrong) that Bungie and Ensemble Studios (makers of Halo Wars) have a license from Microsoft to use the Halo brand, although they obviously do not have to pay for it as all of their profits go to Microsoft in the first instance anyway. I have not bothered to do the research on this, though, so don't quote me on that.
But anyway, really, your question is whether Microsoft/Bungie (really just Microsoft, most likely) might sell the Halo rights if Bungie goes on to do something else.
I think that the answer is absolutely yes, if it was in Microsoft/Bungie's best interests as a corporation. Keep in mind at all times that these companies exist to provide value to shareholders, not to please fans. Now obviously, most of the time those interests are indeed aligned and Bungie/Microsoft can do both (for example, by creating Halo 3). But if the executive authorities do an analysis and reach the conclusion that they can maximize shareholder value by getting a few million bucks in cash while Bungie goes on to create an awesome new video game series based completely on something else, then I think that they absolutely will and absolutely should do it.
It may seem like a cold way of looking at the world -- all cash and no heart -- but realistically, anything that's good for Bungie is good for us fans. Hanging on to the Halo rights for sentimental value but not using them would mean that Microsoft and Bungie are missing out on lots of potential money (from an acquirer) that might be able to be used to help Bungie make it's next awesome game that much better.
So in my opinion, the answer to your question is yes, I think that they would, yes I think that they might, and yes, if the offer is right and Bungie doesn't think that it can get more money by retaining the Halo righs, I think that they should.
[Edited on 05.31.2007 6:56 PM PDT]