Also, this does NOT mean that Bungie can't work on a HALO game for the next 10 years. They're still independent.
Activision Locks Up 'Halo' Creators For 10 Years
(AP) SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) - Activision Blizzard Inc., currently embroiled in a legal shootout with two of its former game developers, has locked up the makers of "Halo" in an exclusive 10-year deal.
The company said Thursday it will bring to market the next big action game universe from Bungie, the video game studio behind "Halo," ''Myth," and "Marathon."
It marks Bungie's first such partnership since breaking off from Microsoft in 2007.
Under the deal, Activision will have exclusive worldwide rights to publish and distribute all future Bungie games based on the universe on multiple platforms and devices.
Activision is majority owned by France's Vivendi SA.
Shares in the unit rose 26 cents, or 2.4 percent, at $11.19 in midday trading.