If Microsoft buys Bungie then it needs to be for the purpose of them making Halo games. 343 would still make Halo as well; they would just alternate releases.
Phil has stated in the past and now in the present any studio they acquire will a creative freedom to make whatever game they want to make, it’s a different xbox leadership today than it was back then and that’s a good thing, I just looked up destiny 2 player base and its alittle over 20 million if you acquire them and bring in half of that to gamepass subscriptions that’s a win it moves the needle further for more aquistion.
Honestly, I don’t think it is such a great grab for MS. Sure, Destiny is pretty good and big, not what it was once, but still big. Zenimax, in the other hand, 8 studios with a plethora of huge IPs that will keep gamepass fed in a constant basis, that was a genius grab imo. As Xbox fans, Bungie is in our DNA and sure I would like to see them back, but realistic speaking, I don’t think it fits on MS gamepass strategy of feeding it with constant content, unless they want to keep a trojan horse in other platforms, which is also a good strategy. I think their deal with MS is already done and it is based on bringing Destiny 2 expansions to gamepass. Although, I think Phil wants to have Destiny in his pocket for personal use lol.
I wouldn’t be as excited with a Bungie acquisition as most people would be. They already announced that they are working in Destiny 2 — a free-to-play multiplatform game — for at least three more years.
This acquisition would be just like Mojang’s acquisition: focused on a high income. It would not bring anything new for Xbox players in my opinion.
Undead Labs is giving us State of Decay 3. Playground Games is giving us Fable. Bethesda is giving us Starfield and Elder Scrolls VI. What would Bungie give us?
I think a partnership is fine between them and Microsoft. I think it is paramount that Microsoft get Asobo imo and whoever else they feel they can grow into a better studio.