My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin Alex Seropian, co-founder of Bungie (Live @ University of Chicago).
Dec 9, 2025
Alex Seropian, a pioneer in video game development and co-founder of Bungie, shares his incredible journey from studying math at the University of Chicago to creating the iconic Halo. He recounts the nail-biting Macworld demo crisis that almost derailed the game’s reveal and discusses the pressures during E3 leading to Halo's launch. Beyond Halo, he delves into his admiration for Tetris, the impact of Ico, and his innovations in community-driven game design with Fortnite, concluding with thoughts on the future of gaming and creativity.
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The Broken Disc That Almost Sank Halo
- Alex raced to burn a replacement Halo demo disc after a colleague's copy was dropped and run over at the airport.
- He personally shipped the new disc overnight so the Macworld reveal could go ahead on schedule.
Steve Jobs Saw Halo Early On
- Steve Jobs saw the Halo demo and wanted it associated with the Mac, helping raise its early profile.
- Alex later recalls Jobs calling Steve Ballmer after Bungie's Microsoft acquisition, a famously heated exchange.
The Recall That Nearly Bankrupted Bungie
- Bungie recalled Myth 2 shipments after discovering an uninstaller bug that could delete users' hard drives.
- Alex says the costly recall nearly bankrupted the studio but preserved their reputation and future.