Bungie: MMO announcement during GDC panel was a joke

by Griffin McElroy on Mar 5th 2011 1:30PM

In its latest weekly update, Bungie took some time to backtrack on lead network engineer David Aldridge's GDC announcement that the studio's next game would be "massively multiplayer," and similar to "WoW in space." The update explains, "Now, in rehearsal Aldridge was convinced that everybody got the joke. It was all in the delivery, he assured us, and he was certain it was clear that he was playfully riffing off of the recent rumors." Apparently, he was super, super incorrect in that assumption.

It's worth noting that the update doesn't flatly deny that the studio is working on a massively online game -- unless, of course, that denial is hidden somewhere among the cornucopia of Charlie Sheen references. We're having a hard time breaking that particular code.

Source: Bungie

Tags: bungie, gdc-2011, microsoft, mmo, online, pc, playstation, ps3, xbox

Reader Comments (49)

oh, had me fooled

@HardBoiled2009

You're not the only one. Worse-case scenario include: Industry revenue projections force Bungie to make space-mmo, honto ni

I bet that guy got fired

@The Cole Train

If he didn't, I demand him fired!

@The Cole Train
If he would have just said "massively multiplayer" then it would have been a fun note to leave people to speculate on. Massively multiplayer can mean more than one thing.

But when he brought up WoW...well, that's a can that no developer should ever try to open or play around with.

I would rather hear Bungie partnering with Activision was a joke.

@kgoo867

It's not about Activision being a major part of it, it's the fact that they are associated with the title. If you really love frosted flakes & you buy them every single time & then all of a sudden, you see the brand "shit" printed on the box, even though they had no input whatsoever, are you going to want to buy that one? Chances are that would be a no.

@kgoo867
I'm sorry, publishers have some of the biggest say in what goes into a game. You know, since they're the one's financing it. Sure Bungie's making the game, but Publishers will rub their hands all over it.

@The Wicker Man

I'd like to give Activision the chance to redeem itself like EA's trying to do. They've been very much reviled for the last few years, but I think I'll wait and see how their new 3rd-party partnerships work out before I render final judgement.

@The Wicker Man. I was just making joke. Kgoo you seem to be the one who is overacting judging by the tone you are taking.

@TheBrainninja

Activision isn't intersted in redeeming itself. They're too busy looking for the next thing to replace CoD once that brand has been beaten to death.

@kgoo867; I love to bash Activision at every opportunity I get. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside :)

http://immortal.proxima.net.nz/cats/seriously.jpg

@Iron Man
Cannot...resist....cat....too cute....oh no:

AAAAWWWWWWWW!!!!!

@SoldierShredder

That cat isn't cute... I think he is in pain...

Don't worry people looking for "WOW in Space" I think Old Republic Online has us covered there.

Reminds me back before the Wii came out and a joystiq writer had a "megaton" post everyone stayed up until 12am pacific (I think) to get. Turns out it was just a story about Wiis being in production. A huge ammout of commenters pleaded for him to be fired.

That's when I lost faith in the community. Bunch of pricks.

Some of you are pretty alright though. Miss a lot of the 2005-9 usuals.....

That's not funny.

Well I'm sure this brings a breath of fresh air to Bungie fans out there but a tear to all those hoping for an Halo MMO type game. I know I'm glad that I can go on knowing that I will not need to pay 15 bucks a month to play a Bungie game.

Call me crazy, but I consider MAG to be Massively Multiplayer. Bungie could easily (or not so easily, but as a fan I'll give them the benefit of the doubt) make a game around that idea of persistant, large-scale war between two or more factions. MAG doesn't charge $15, I don't see why Bungie would.

Obviously this is formed around the idea that there was still some truth in their joke, but all the same. I know I wouldn't mind seeing them tackle a project like that though. I love Halo, and can't wait to see their next game.

@Epoque

Well it's not a matter of if they couldn't, it's a matter of how Activision would go about it. Yes, it would be 15 bucks a month since Activision is their publisher. But Bungie's major strong point was their story telling. Halo 3: ODST was probably my favorite game in the series as well as many other's as well. & that was a story focused game. I think that the reason why Halo seems so over doen is because of the multiplayer. Bungie found their niche with Halo 2's multiplayer & did little to innovate after that. I'd like to see a single player only Bungie game over a MMO or a heavy multiplayer focused game like MAG any day.

@kgoo867

Uh... I think multiplayer with a massive amount of people is exactly what a massively multiplayer game is.

@kgoo867

Ok, I admit, I forgot about forge & saved films but I meant in Halo 2 how they really invented online match making on a console but then Halo 3 felt bland & got boring after a while. & Yes, I feel Bungie can tell a great story both in & outside of a game. Just because you don't feel that way, doesn't mean you have to mock me for it. There are people who don't like Mass Effect's or Red Dead Redemption's story. Is there something wrong with them? No.

@kgoo867

The Forge and theater were hardly innovative and definitely weren't that influential.

They made a solid lobby system, and that's about it.

@Colin

Not at all. "Massively Multiplayer" could mean a "massive" focus on "multiplayer" or "massive" amount of "multiplayer". Don't be so narrow minded

@Prboi

Sure. Also:
Tetris is an action game because spinning the block is an action.
Mario is a shooter because he shoots fireballs.
CoD is an RPG because you're playing the role of a soldier.

It's the tired old argument. "Well RPG stands for role playing game, and in every game you play a role so all games are RPGs lolololol." Yes, you're right in a sense, but the average gamer has come to associate certain conventions with the phrase RPG, and have comes to associate certain conventions with a game advertised as Massively Multiplayer.

I guess I'm close minded because I associate connotations with phrases?

@Colin

In this company, you cannot assume anything unless it's stated clearly. The fact that Bungie did not state it would be a MMO straight out means you cannot assume that it will be an MMO. Game developers take this loose interpretation approach all the time. They almost have to because of fan pressure. Look at project beachhead for call of duty. Notice didn't say outright it was a subscription plan yet everyone is speculating it & automatically pointing fingers straight to that. That doesn't mean it will be that at all. You can't assume anything in the gaming business because more times than not your assumption is wrong.

It's called they thought it was a good idea, saw the poor fan reaction, and now state it's a joke. Laughing yet? Me neither.

@Shockwave

So you're saying that they threw away more than a years worth of work because a few people didn't like their game when they hadn't even shown it off yet? That IS funny.

@Shockwave
It's certainly not the first time people mistook what one of Bungie's announcements was trying to say.

@Shockwave Laughing at you for even believeing what you wrote...Yes.

Well I was hoping for something different from Bungie, but I guess not. -_-

Oh yea sure of course...its just a joke. hahaha.

Inside Bungie:
Halo 4 anybody?

According to Bungie, their presentation didn't say "massively multiplayer". It said "massively good online".

@bungie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7XW6WgSKB0

WoW in space... so StarCraft?

@tendoboy1984
Don't know if you've noticed but starcraft is an RTS ;)

For Bungies sake, I gotta say good.

Quite comical seeing all you commenters debating 'pricing' and such the other day.

Result Bungie :D
Fooled the world :D

Joke my ass, it´s coming.

Impossible!, you arr can't come!

Jokes on you

Tigerblood!

In this company, you cannot assume anything unless it's stated clearly. The fact that Bungie did not state it would be a MMO straight out means you cannot assume that it will be an MMO. Game developers take this loose interpretation approach all the time. They almost have to because of fan pressure. Look at project beachhead for call of duty. Notice didn't say outright it was a subscription plan yet everyone is speculating it & automatically pointing fingers straight to that. That doesn't mean it will be that at all. You can't assume anything in the gaming business because more times than not your assumption is wrong.

@Prboi

WOW, major reply fail. Thanks Joystiq.

I thought they said it would NOT be 'WoW in space'.

Oh, silly Bungie. They must be taking drugs...a drug called Charlie Sheen.

reminds me of that mega64 video about bungie.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-Ag-sp4xpI

Bungie's sarcastic attitude has won over Halo fans, mostly, but it's going to be a challenge as Bungie seeks the audience, and dollars, that Call of Duty currently generates. Sarcasm can come off as jerking around your audience, if it's not done right. I get that it's this one guy's comments, but if you read any of Bungie's weekly newsletters, you'll see this wink wink style.

I still don't get how what the guy said was a joke, or why you'd need to/want to make any statement that misrepresented your huge new 10-year project with Activision, which has been shrouded in mystery. Blame the guy, but this is Bungie's style, to say odd stuff for media attention.

Wow sucks! just thought i'd launch that!
halo ce was initially going to be an mmo till ms got hold of it and some of you are thinking the halo universe is their next game...i highly doubt that! new game, new universe, new characters is surely their next venture! if i was a bungie worker i'd be bored stiff of halo!

just waiting for the WOW nuclear fallout to come my way!

Bungie: MMO announcement during GDC panel was a joke

Reader Comments (49)

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 1:32PM HardBoiled2009 said

Posted: Mar 7th 2011 8:40AM Spookimitsu said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 1:37PM The Cole Train said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 1:42PM SpiderPrime said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 6:56PM Lerkero said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 1:38PM The Wicker Man said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 2:19PM Prboi said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 2:44PM The Aquacharger said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 3:20PM TheBrainninja said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 4:31PM The Wicker Man said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 4:31PM SirUrza said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 5:14PM Mouthsmasher said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 1:39PM Iron Man said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 2:35PM SoldierShredder said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 4:38PM ngSliver said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 1:39PM Ariolander said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 11:05PM D3m0sthenes said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 1:43PM wardob said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 1:45PM Prboi said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 2:03PM Epoque said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 2:15PM Prboi said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 2:30PM Colin said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 2:36PM Prboi said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 2:36PM Apakal said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 2:38PM Prboi said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 5:16PM Colin said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 8:57PM Prboi said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 1:56PM Shockwave said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 2:16PM TheyDidItFirst said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 2:29PM DreadArrow said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 2:31PM KillerC said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 1:58PM Aversion said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 2:07PM Imperial said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 2:16PM Arteen said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 2:17PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 2:27PM tendoboy1984 said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 2:32PM KillerC said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 3:11PM Faenix said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 3:21PM DigitalFortress said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 3:24PM SpartanSnake said

Posted: Mar 6th 2011 5:44PM Xupmatoih said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 4:15PM thatdude21601 said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 7:01PM Prboi said

Posted: Mar 5th 2011 8:57PM Prboi said

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