Robbie Bach Interview

In an interview with the Mercury News, Robbie Bach, the President of Entertainment and Devices at Microsoft, he talks about loads of Microsoft stuff including the Zune Player, but more importantly about the Halo Movie.

Q: The Halo movie isn’t going so well. That might have been another avenue for Microsoft to pursue in entertainment. As reported, they just decided to redo the contract?
A: Universal and Fox wanted to redo some things between us and others involved. We said if that is the direction you want to go, we would rather pause. Our view is we want something great to be done. You can’t do a budget Halo movie. You have to be serious about it.

Q: Somebody estimated that your division has lost like $3.8 billion or something. Most companies would have given up a long time before they went through anywhere near that much money. Do you guys have a blank check? Is there some point where you reach the end of the rope and somebody says, "You know, you guys have spent way too much money and we're not seeing an end to it?"
A: No. I think the things you have to look at is you have to look at, sure, the dollar investment, and the asset value that's created and then look at the P&L. You have to look at all three of those things. So, yes, the amount of investment, in particular on Xbox, has been a large number. So, compare that to the alternatives and some of the alternatives would have been, "Well, go buy somebody big." So, you could have looked and said, "Go buy Nintendo." And Nintendo at the time would have been a $15 billion acquisition. So, by any stretch of the imagination, a much bigger investment. And if I look at the asset we've built, it's a different asset than Nintendo has, and they certainly have got a great company, but it's an asset that we can be proud of. So, the first thing I'd say is, we went in knowing it was going to be a big investment, but the size of the marketplace and the importance to what we're doing justify that.


Q: I was happy to see the Halo investment step up there with multiple games. I always wondered if Microsoft had enough soldiers on the battlefield …
A: So to speak.

Q: As far as having enough game developers and games in the works. Microsoft hasn’t exploited Halo the way that Electronic Arts would.
A: The balance we have to strike with a property like Halo is taking advantage of the intellectual property itself and not wearing out the franchise. Electronic Arts has an advantage in a way with sports where it is self-renewing. And it’s not even their doing. It’s the nature of the sport, with new players, new stadiums, and new teams. In something like Halo, you have to look at how do we maximize the intellectual property. We could do eight things, but that’s probably too many. It’s also important for us to have more than just Halo. That is why Viva Piñata is important. That’s why Forza Motorsport 2 is important. It’s why Project Gotham Racing is important. It’s why Gears of War is important. It’s important for our first-party group to have a range of titles.

Delays or Dead - you decide!

I know I haven't updated this for ages. Shit happens so here's the stuff that I've missed.

Yep we all know the Halo Movie has been delayed but we could still see it in 2008. Despite the comments below. Where there's a will ...

What he would confirm about Jackson is that the "Halo" movie the filmmaker is signed on to produce won't be happening any time soon. In the last few weeks the studios financing the film backed out, and Jackson said the project would be on ice until new funding came in. "While we have no deals to announce, everyone in Hollywood is looking at it," Moore said, adding that "several studios" have gone to Wellington to check out the work that's already been done. Gamers will just have to wait. "For the magnitude of what the script is — I've read the screenplay — and what we need to do to uphold the 'Halo' universe for its legion of fans in the way they want to see a movie being made, no, it won't be next year." [From MTV]

The budget was set at around $145 million and two studios appear to have cut their ties with the production due to increasing costs. When the news broke Microsoft released a statement in which they said:

“the Halo franchise is hugely popular and our goal remains the same -to find a partner that shares our passion and will creatively collaborate with us to best represent the story and spirit of the Halo franchise. Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and the rest of the creative team are dedicated to ensuring the Halo movie becomes a reality. We are disappointed that Universal wanted to significantly renegotiate the financial points of the deal…We are already in discussions with potential partners who recognize the value of the 'Halo' brand."

And Bunie added their thoughts:

“Universal and Fox wanted to renegotiate the Halo movie deal at the 11th hour and Microsoft and its partners, Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh refused…. The
reality here at Bungie towers is a feeling of optimism, satisfaction and happiness for reasons we can’t go into. Frankly we’re interested in making the best movie, and it’s possible that a partner who’s more concerned with numbers, might not be the best partner for what’s more vitally a creative process. Suffice it to say that Peter, Neill, Fran and Microsoft are as excited and dedicated as ever and WETA continues the pre-production process. Actually, when you do finally get to see the stuff WETA has already made, you will probably pee a little. Hopefully … we can share excellent news with you in the next few weeks. ”

A local News Report which features a quick comment from Jackson is below:

Neill Blomkamp To Be Director

News reaches us that the director for the upcoming Halo Movile will be Neill Blomkamp.

The South African isn't all that well known, but did direct an episode of the TV series Dark Angel, Smallville. as well asbeing the lead animator on 3000 Miles to Graceland and director of Alive in Joburg.

Resources: Movies Online / Rocky Mountain News / Ferrago

We're Bungie, not Halo!

The music director of Bungie, Marty O'Donnell told 1UP that the development of Halo 3 is taking up a lot of their time and that the department doesn't want to just focus on Halo Games for ever.

The interview below gives a fantastic insight into the movie and the development of the next game. It's so well worth a watch.

But don't expect Halo 3 to be the last game ever, especially when you think of the interest that the Halo Movie will foster among people. Marty commented "We're not walking away from Halo, because it's a great universe and a great franchise. There's lots of story that we can tell about Halo, but we're working on other stuff."

Just watch the 1up.com interview:

Bungie Distracted by Windows Vista Version

The title may be a little harsh, but Bungie are trying to work on a Halo2 version for Windows Vista, Halo 3 for the XBox 360 and be involved with the production of the Halo Movie.

But seeing as the movie looks set to be delayed until 2008 I'm sure they'll have enough time to get a kick-arse flick infront of us asap.

More details released

The team to push forward has been announced: Fox, Universal, Microsoft, Bungie and Peter Jackson - now this should be a good flic considering that it'll be shot in Jackson's native New Zealand.

Jackson commented:

“As a gaming fan, I’m excited to bring HALO's premise, action and settings to the screen with all the specificity and reality today’s technology can provide, Fran [Walsh] and I are intrigued by the unique challenges this project offers, and we’re delighted to be working again with our friends at Universal, and with our new ones at Fox and Microsoft. I’m a huge fan of the game and look forward to helping it come alive on the cinema screen.”

Fox are just as excited: Tom Rothman and Jim Gianopulos, Co-Chairmen of Fox Filmed Entertainment remarked, “HALO, Peter Jackson & Fran Walsh, Fox, Universal and Microsoft. That is one hell of a starting five, and we can't wait to play.” Bill Gates, Micrsoft Chairman commented:

“Peter Jackson is one of Hollywood’s most exciting innovators, and our partnership with him will greatly broaden the appeal of the HALO franchise, We’re confident he’ll create an epic that not only thrills existing HALO fans, but also introduces millions of moviegoers around the world to this amazing saga.”

Now this should be a cracker!

Halo Movie Delayed until 2008?

IMDb had updated the release of Halo the Movie to be 2008. This is a big kick in the teeth for all Halo fans.

But it is to be expected considering that many of the details relating to the cast haven't been finalised - as far as we're aware.

Resources:
IGN / IGNIQ / Blog Critics