In a surprise announcement, Bungie Software has today confirmed that it is joining forces with videogame publishing giant Activision. The press release details that the agreement is for a 10-year partnership to bring Bungie’s ‘next big action game universe to market’ with Activision holding ‘exclusive, worldwide rights to publish and distribute all future Bungie games based on the new intellectual property on multiple platforms and devices.’

The press release also confirms that ‘Bungie remains an independent company and will continue to own their intellectual property’.

This is undoubtedly what we’d call a ‘bombshell’ – Bungie has long held ties with Microsoft and the Xbox platform in particular and the suggestion that the studio is to go multiplatform (though long rumoured) will no doubt get internet forums buzzing. The announcement is also something of a boon for Activision who have been heavily criticised in recent weeks in regards to the legal wrangling over Infinity Ward and the exodus of many of its staff.

The deal will not impact on Bungie’s current project, the much awaited ‘Halo: Reach’ which is due to hit the Xbox 360 later this year.

We wait with baited breath to see the first fruits of this match up.

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