Microsoft Bought Bungie to Keep Halo Out of Apple and Steve Jobs’ Hands, Says Marcus Lehto

Halo: Combat Evolved was originally intended to be an Apple Macintosh exclusive.

Marcus Lehto, one of the principal creators of Halo and co-architect of the Master Chief’s design, told Kent State Magazine in a recent interview about the franchise’s earliest development and how Microsoft effectively tore the project out of Apple’s hands.

According to Lehto, Halo: Combat Evolved began life as a Macintosh-exclusive title and was planned as a third-person shooter. In 1999, Steve Jobs personally showcased the game at Macworld.

But Bungie was facing significant financial strain at the time. Microsoft seized the opportunity — eager to secure standout exclusives for the launch of its first console, the Xbox.

Source: iXBT.games