Rampancy

Kudos to Kyle for noticing that GODGames has a poll on their site, asking which game you are most looking forward to. Myth III is trailing behind and could certainly use your vote. Go on, make it right!

The second installment of Jaime Griesemer's HALO Diary is now available at PlanetXBox. Mike Weber, site director of PlanetXBox, sent this note:

In our second installment of the Halo Developer Diary, Bungie level designer Jaime Griesemer delves into the important aspect of developing new skills to play a game, such as Halo well. He describes results from play testing aswell as where Bungie is headed with tutorials for the upcoming Xbox title. Jamie Griesemer tells all...

He certainly does. Read it here.

REDMOND, Wash. - June 19, 2000 - Microsoft Corp. today announced it acquired Chicago-based Bungie Software Products Corp., a leading independent developer of action oriented computer and video games. As a result of this acquisition, Microsoft gains exclusive publishing and distribution rights to select Bungie-developed titles, including the highly anticipated sci-fi action epic Halo.

This acquisition reflects our commitment to growing our business with a strong portfolio of quality games for the PC and Xbox platforms, said Ed Fries, vice president of games publishing at Microsoft. Bungie's highly talented team consistently delivers award-winning games, and we're looking forward to supporting their creative spirit here at Microsoft.

Bungie's development staff will become an independent development studio within the Microsoft Game Division, where it will retain its unique character and edgy personality. Microsoft expects the Bungie team to play a key role in the development of content for the Xbox platform, creating the kinds of innovative technology that have defined its character. The team will also continue developing titles such as Halo, a revolutionary action game recently nominated for four E3 Game Critics awards, including Best of Show.

This is an opportunity to combine the strength of two outstanding software companies: Bungie's talent for creating great games and Microsoft's strength in distribution, said Alexander Seropian, founder and CEO of Bungie Software Products. Microsoft will provide us with the resources and infrastructure we need to continue to build great games and make them available on a worldwide scale. We are also looking forward to helping define the Xbox platform, which may soon be the world's premier game console.

In a related announcement, Take-Two Interactive Software Inc., (Nasdaq TTWO ) current distributor of Bungie-developed titles, announced it acquired all right, title and interest to select Bungie game properties, including the popular Myth game franchise and the upcoming action game Oni, and has sold its 19.9 percent equity interest in Bungie to Microsoft. Ryan Brant, Chief Executive Officer of Take-Two, said, This acquisition is a positive for all involved. We have a tremendous amount of respect for Bungie's talents and the contributions it has made to the games industry, and we look forward to working with Microsoft to make Xbox a success.

Underscoring Microsoft's commitment to being a leading worldwide games developer and publisher, the acquisition of Bungie follows last year's successful acquisitions of FASA Interactive Technologies Inc. and Access Software Inc., both of which have resulted in the upcoming PC games MechWarrior(tm) 4: Vengeance, Crimson Skies(tm) and Links(tm) LS 2001, all due out later this year.

Kudos to Pythos for alerting us to an interview with the producer of Myth II: Green Berets, Tim Beggs on Voodoo Extreme. Among other things, Beggs states that the project is around 80% completed. Here are some noteworthy items:

Voodoo Extreme - What sorts of missions and settings will be available in Green Berets?

Tim Meggs - The missions will be varied. Missions include search and destroy, sabotage, rescues, offensive, defensive. Environments include jungles, swamps, hills, caves...† The goal is present the player with something new with each mission.† I feel we are holding to that goal successfully.

Voodoo Extreme -†What other gameplay features have you put into Green Berets?

Tim Meggs - Enemies that scatter from grenades and other special attacks.† Air strikes.† Hand-to-hand combat.

Voodoo†Extreme -†Will there be ways for people to make their own Green Beret levels in the full game?

Tim Meggs - We intend to include the necessary items for people who purchase Green Berets to make their own levels using the Green Berets units. Because the game ships with Myth II, Fear and Loathing will also be included (tools used to create levels).

The rest of the interview discusses engine flexibilities, plans for Green Berets, and what has already been accomplished. Don't miss it.