UPDATE: This has finally been confirmed by Microsoft.

The latest rumour to surface following suggestions that Bungie and Microsoft are set to part ways is that the two will form a 'new partnership' rather than splitting completely.

The latest whisper comes from CNBC reporter Jim Goldman, who tells us, "From the two people I'm talking to inside Bungie, I'm expecting a new kind of partnership between the two and not a wholesale break-up."

Earlier in the week SPOnG told you of rumours doing the rounds that Bungie is to leave the Microsoft fold and operate as an independent studio. It has been suggested that Bungie no longer wishes to work on the mammoth Halo franchise, while Microsoft (understandably) has other ideas.

Goldman also reports that if the two do part ways, the rights to Halo will remain with Microsoft, meaning that we would no doubt see another studio working on a further Halo title. He also claims that Microsoft would get first refusal on any future Bungie titles, making work on the Wii or PS3 for the developer an unlikely proposition.

Meanwhile Microsoft has released yet more details of Halo 3's epic sales success, highlighting what Bungie stands to lose out on should step out from under the Microsoft umbrella.

No comment was available from Microsoft at the time of press.

You can see SPOnG's review of Halo 3 here.

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