UPDATE 4.50pm UK: Bungie has attempted to douse reports it has discussed acquisition with Microsoft.
Replying on Twitter to internet tipster Nibel, Bungie boss Pete Parsons said it was "false" that Microsoft had been in talks to acquire Bungie multiple times and that each time the talks had fallen through due to Bungie's price.
It's a broad-handed denial to a very specific tweet, which summed up information discussed on the GamesBeat podcast. But it also seems to be Bungie's response to this story - I received a link to this tweet via a Bungie spokesperson this afternoon in place of an official comment.
