did it become an independent company?
Yes. It split off from its parent company and becoming a privately held limited liability company
Bungie
On October 1, 2007, Microsoft and Bungie announced that Bungie was splitting off from its parent and becoming a privately held limited liability company named Bungie, LLC.
who is master chief? A fictional character and the protagonist in the "Halo" multimedia franchise who has voiced it? Steve Downes who published the franchise? Bungie who established the above mentioned company? Alex Seropian
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Bungie [SEP] Independent company (2007–present)
On October 1, 2007, Microsoft and Bungie announced that Bungie was splitting off from its parent and becoming a privately held limited liability company named Bungie, LLC. As outlined in a deal between the two, Microsoft would retain a minority stake and continue to partner with Bungie on publishing and marketing both "Halo" and future projects, with the "Halo" intellectual property belonging to Microsoft. While Bungie planned on revealing a new game at E3 2008, Bungie studio head Harold Ryan announced that the unveiling was canceled. Almost three months later, Bungie announced that the new game was a prequel and expansion to "Halo 3" titled "Halo 3: Recon".