Halo 4: The Secret Files

[Nuvian]

Halo 4: The Secret Files. Everything Bungie talked about (http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2008/03/30/halo-4-the-secret-files-everything-bungie-talked-about.htm)

(http://www.videogamesblogger.com/category/news)

http://www.videogamesblogger.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/halo-4-xbox-360-fake-boxart.jpgThe following Bungie developer interview notes are a summary of everything Halo 4 the company talked about or what was hinted at. We dubbed it “The Secret Files” that puts one and one together. Every Halo fan obviously knows the (original) Halo trilogy is over (Halo 3 was left with an open ending (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VybS1C-4CAk)). But with Ensemble Studios working on the Halo Wars RTS prequel (http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2007/08/28/halo-wars-demo-gameplay-video.htm) and an episodic Halo: Chronicles cinematic-game trilogy series (http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2007/07/24/peter-jacksons-episodic-halo-game-trilogy-hinted-for-2008.htm) still in the works by Peter Jackson, would a Halo 4 FPS really be that far fetched? Time to line up the facts…

July 14th 2006: Bungie audio director, Marty O’Donnell, said at the UK Game Developers Conference that “We all want Halo to be the great ending to an epic trilogy. We look at what Peter Jackson did with the Lord of the Rings films - which each film bettering the previous one and that is what we are aiming for.”

September 25th 2007: At the launch of Halo 3 (http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2008/01/23/halo-3-review-just-what-the-xbox-360-ordered.htm) the cinematic designer, Lee Wilson, said “There’s a lot of people who have been working on Halo much longer than us two have and they’re really interested in exploring new games, new stories, and whatever comes out of those conversations is what we’re going to pursue. We’re still going to make games for us.” And Joe Tung, multiplayer producer, said that the team was “figuring out right now what we’re working on next. We really don’t know what that is yet but as soon as we know, everyone else will know. Halo 4 is not in development.”

October 8th 2007: Halo movie director, Neill Blomkamp, confirmed that the Halo “film is entirely dead,” but consoled fans of the series by mentioning that “Well, we are already at work on another Halo game — I wouldn’t call it ‘Halo 4′, but it is based in the Halo Universe and represents a collaboration between Bungie and Peter Jackson. Halo 3 was definitely not the last Bungie Halo game.”

November 9th 2007: Bungie studio manager, Harold Ryan, mentioned that “Obviously Microsoft wanted us to make more Halo games. Both I and some of the more senior guys from the original Halo game have deep piles of game designs for the Halo universe that we are excited to build at some point. If the stars align and motivations are good and the platforms are right we’ll do them.”

Now in 2008: Bungie are still supporting the Xbox 360-exclusive Halo 3 with new map packs (http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2008/03/25/halo-3-heroic-map-pack-free-starting-today-next-legendary-map-pack-out-on-april-15th.htm), as well as the above mentioned two Halo game spin-offs that are set for tentative Q4 2008 releases. It does look like they want to take a break from the series, which might be part of the reason why Bungie became independent from Microsoft (http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2007/10/06/halo-3-hits-number-1-on-japanese-sales-charts-while-bungie-becomes-independent-of-microsoft.htm). But since money makes the world ago around, and of course fans do want more, it’s doubtful Microsoft or Bungie will want to give up on the Halo series that as of October 4th, 2007, combined sold over 20 million copies worldwide. Perhaps by the time the Xbox 720 launches in 2011-2012 (http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2007/03/13/next-xbox-720-to-launch-in-2011-2012-according-to-microsoft.htm) we’ll hear about Master Chief’s comeback in Halo 4.
reposting this,since it got lost with the server rollback.

[zero1661]

I wouldnt mind another halo game as a launch title for the next xbox but I hope they arent working on one at the moment.

[unbredraptor]

I would very much like to see another Halo FPS, but maybe more of a "Republic Commando" kind of way. Maybe from a marines perspective. But thats just me. I know that Bungie did sate that they are going to continue making Halo games for Microsoft Exclusivly, and that may be a bit of word play, considering that the next 2 Halo games are not DIRECTLY being made by Bungie (Halo Wars-Ensamble, Halo Chronicles-Wing Nut/Peter Jackson). But hey, we can always hope.



Bungie Branches Off


As you have no doubt read on the web today, Microsoft Corp. and Bungie Studios, have reached an unprecedented and exciting agreement – starting immediately, Bungie will become an independent company and will retain a long-term publishing agreement with Microsoft Game Studios for “Halo” titles. The new structure became effective on Oct. 1, 2007. The official blurb follows, but since you’re a valuable part of our community, we thought we’d sum it up simply and concisely.
Bungie has long been built on creativity, originality and the freedom to pursue ideas. Microsoft agreed, and rather than stifle our imagination, they decided it was in both our best interests to unleash it. We’ll continue to make Xbox 360 games, and we’ll continue to make amazing games for MGS. In that regard, nothing has changed. All that has changed is that now Bungie Studios is once again, the property of the folks of Bungie Studios. Microsoft is and will continue to be, a brilliant, inventive and creatively collaborative publishing partner. Practically speaking, nothing has changed and you guys won’t see much, if any difference, for a while unless you come to work for us, that is – we’re hiring at http://www.bungie.net/inside/jobs.aspx (http://www.bungie.net/inside/jobs.aspx)

The official Bungie press release goes something like this:

Press Release:


For Release 8 a.m. PDT

Oct. 5, 2007


Bungie Studios Becomes Privately Held Independent Company

Bungie and Microsoft forge new long-term relationship.

KIRKLAND, Wash. — Oct. 5, 2007 — Bungie and Microsoft Corp. today announced a plan for Bungie Studios, the developers of Microsoft’s “Halo” franchise, to become a privately held independent company, Bungie, LLC, in which Microsoft will hold a minority equity interest. As part of this transaction, Bungie and Microsoft have forged a deep and long-term development and publishing relationship focused on the continued success of the “Halo” franchise. It is also the intent of both parties to expand their partnership to include new IP created and owned by Bungie.
Bungie’s critically acclaimed Xbox 360® exclusive “Halo 3” achieved $300 million in global sales in its first week. Released on Tuesday, Sept. 25, “Halo 3” is the fastest-selling video game ever and already one of the most successful entertainment properties in history.
“This exciting evolution of our relationship with Microsoft will enable us to expand both creatively and organizationally in our mission to create world-class games,” said Harold Ryan, studio head for Bungie. “We will continue to develop with our primary focus on Microsoft’s platforms; we greatly value our mutually prosperous relationship with our publisher, Microsoft Game Studios, and we look forward to continuing that affiliation through ‘Halo’ and beyond.”
“Working with Microsoft was great for us, it allowed us to grow as a team and make the ambitious, blockbuster games we all wanted to work on. And they will continue to be a great partner. But Bungie is like a shark. We have to keep moving to survive. We have to continually test ourselves, or we might as well be dolphins. Or manatees,” said Jason Jones, Bungie founder and partner.
Bungie’s management retained the services of Don Leeds, senior managing director of B-Hive Global, LLC, to spearhead the structuring of the deal and negotiate on their behalf. Bungie will remain in Kirkland, Washington, and is always looking to hire excellent talent.
About Bungie
Bungie was founded in 1991 with two goals: to develop games that combine brilliant technology, beautiful art, intelligent stories and deep gameplay, and to sell enough of those games to achieve its real goal of total world domination. Over the past 10 years it has produced games such as the “Marathon” trilogy and the first two “Myth” games, hailed as classics by critics and gamers around the world. Bungie’s “Halo” franchise is an international award-winning action title that has grown into a global entertainment phenomenon, selling more than 18 million units worldwide, logging billions of hours of multiplayer action on Xbox LIVE®, and spawning action figures, books, graphic novels, soundtracks, apparel and more. The critically acclaimed “Halo 3”, released on Tuesday, Sept. 25th 2007, is the fastest-selling video game ever, achieving $300 million in global sales its first week, making it one of the most successful entertainment properties in history. More information on Bungie can be found at http://www.bungie.net (http://www.bungie.net/).

Directly from Bungie Weekly update 10/5/07 (http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12834)

[Carsonal]

Plenty of room left in the Halo universe for more stories to be told.

[Behemoko]

A thread about this exact topic was trashed a day or 2 ago, but I can't say why. Now I'm curious and have to go look through the garbage.

[Two4DaMoney]

Halo is more of a been there done that for me. I'm done with it. And yes I have played and completed all 3.

[zero1661]

Halo is more of a been there done that for me. I'm done with it. And yes I have played and completed all 3.

while im a big fan of the game, if they continued the current story arc I would be very dissapointed, im hoping they decide to completely overhaul the experience come halo 4.

[radgamer420]

Plenty of room left in the Halo universe for more stories to be told.

I agree. I liked all the Halos so I hope it continues.

[Lemon Diggler]

while im a big fan of the game, if they continued the current story arc I would be very dissapointed, im hoping they decide to completely overhaul the experience come halo 4.


I agree. I had bought a 360 mainly for Bioshock and I'd thought I'd give Halo a chance after all the hype. I was sadly disappointed. I find the weapons pretty boring (except for the gravity axe and the swords) and the aiming reticles crappy. The storline was pretty bland too, I was just praying for it to end so I could sell it back for credit.