Halo 4 Not Developed By Bungie
This article was written by: Rane Pollock (Gemini Ace)Ripped from the rumor pages of OXM this month comes the news that Bungie is not handing the development of Halo 4. Not only that, but that the next game in the beloved franchise will be released along side of the next generation Xbox as a launch title! Let that sink in for a second.
Rumor has it that Gearbox Software (the guys responsible for Halo PC) are currently working on Halo 4. Of course, this is all rumor at this point, and nothing has been announced. If this rumor even has a hint of truth to it, then that would mean that Microsoft could possibly release another console within 2 years. I, for one, am not ready to buy another Xbox. Some people agree with me.
What do you think? Halo 4 as a launch title to the Xbox 720? In 2010 or 2011?
ABOUT THIS AUTHOR
We all knew Bungie wouldn't make the next Halo game in the franchise. That was announce awhile ago. That is why Frank O'Connor left Bungie to go to Microsoft. It is his mission to make sure that the Halo franchise stays true. Is this a shock that the next Halo game will be another launch title, no not really. If we go by the average console lifespan of 5 years, we may not see it until 2011.
As long as it is fun I don't care who makes it.
I was hoping for another installment of the Halo franchise on the Xbox 360. And I was hoping Microsoft would let the 360 have a longer lifespan than 5 years. That's the point.
Oh I understand your point, but that's the way it has always been. 5 years and the console is done, except for Sony. They continue to support the previous generation on an average 8-10 years. With technology advancements as fast as they are, you have to expect a short lifespan on consoles. Gamers as a whole want better consoles after so many years. Anyways, back to the Halo. You are getting another installment of Halo on the 360, it's Halo Wars. Developers and Publishers see Halo Wars as the second Halo title for the 360. You may say that it's an RTS, but it's still a Halo game.
This is yet another reason to make the PS3 your primary choice of console. With this whole Halo 4 launch title idea, Microsoft is already admitting they can't compete with Sony on technical merit alone. The 360 is on a 5 year life span apparently, it red rings when it gets overheated, and Microsoft continues to pay huge amounts of cash for exclusives on a system which may be pointless in 3 years? That's not good business to me. This no dig on Microsoft. I'm just being honest. It's part of the reason I don't want to buy an Xbox 360 again even with the price cuts. All the lower prices are great, but they keep hanging this Halo carrot out there over our heads. Ever since Halo 2, the quality of multiplayer is on a decline and the storyline is just a tad stronger than Gears of War. Honestly, I don't care who makes Halo 4. Just like Gears of War 2, I probably won't play it until I go to a friend's house. It doesn't make me want to buy a 360 anymore.
Really L1t1g4tor..really? Are your really justifying what you have to say based on speculation? As of January 3, 2008, Halo 3 has sold 8.1 million, and remember that was Jan 3rd, so Microsoft hanging the "Halo" over peoples heads is probably a good thing for them. So I wont even talk about the artistic merits of the Halo universe, because it is in no way as good as some of Sony's first party games like Heavenly Sword…isn't that getting a sequel cause it sold so well? How about Metal Gear that continues to push hardware..oh wait its not event on the top 10 software list this month. I could go on, but I don't want to talk semantics in lieu of further sounding like an ass. I'm trying to prove a point, and that point is A. Its Rumor take it as that. B. As gamers we need to stop thinking everything game developers are doing are to in some shape or form harm or trick us. So while I respect what you have to say, I might look at it like this. At the excellerated rete that technology grows there is no way we can expect console life cycles to go as long as they used to. Especially when you have 3 companies vying for the no 1 spot. So if the rumor is true, at least Microsoft is trying to have a game plan that gives us better value than "Perfect Dark" on the launch day of the next console. Instead the could just come up to us 2 years after the new console is released and say at E3 "Hey hang in there our other consoles did not have any good titles till its 3rd and 4th year out." (Sony Jab). So while by now I am rambling, I must apologize to you my friend, at my targeted fustration. I am just sick of constant speculation by gamers on things that have yet to be announced and or come true. But who am I to say that to anyone…..Oh wait Im Mutha FN GUI J….Respect!
blah blah. GUI J just get yourself a PS3, you deserve it, and it deserves youuuuuuu – "like Soulja Boy"
Interesting rant but where did I say it was true? I said I didn't care and was very careful to use words like "apparently" and "may." My decision to switch to PS3 is based on experiencing both consoles so what speculation am I assuming to be true? The facts are the Xbox 360 came out first and there's a whole bunch of people that are refusing (REFUSING) to actually play a PS3 let alone buy one. In this current economic era, the masses can't afford both systems. So of course a console with an install base of over 18 million with a super-hyped title like Halo is going to sell well. The masses are not going to be buying Halo 3 on the 360 and then buying Heavenly Sword or Metal Gear Solid 4. It's like comparing apples and oranges…it's a fallacy of logic. Regardless of game sales, the sales charts speak for themselves now. People are now buying PS3s. The software sells will increase and maybe again when the consoles drops in price. Launch titles mean nothing to me. That's all just hype. I, just like you, evaluate the future of all my investments before I buy. Once I truly studied the PS3 and looked at all the flexibility it provides, it was no contest. I sold my Xbox 360. That's just me though. Besides GoW2, there's just nothing I want to play on the 360 that I can't get on the consistently more reliable PS3. I just feel Microsoft is blowing Halo out of proportion. 4 HALO GAMES. Seriously…that screams desperate and lame. Maybe some of the games will be good…maybe Bungie will do them…the only thing that's not a maybe is that I won't be buying into the 360 Halo Hype any more. What you choose to do …well that's up to you. "The masses are asses." – Voltaire or some smart guy
Put us Hardcore aside, including myself who will eventualy buy a PS3. And your statement about Sony selling PS3 is based on the fact that Sony really got lucky with BlueRay. If BRay didnt win the home movie format wars I dont think Sony would be in the position it is today. I just really wanted to say cudos to Microsoft for trying to make an effort to make sure that a game that a lot of people love, is getting the day one treatment for its next console. And while you feel they are blowing Halo out of porportion, it can end up one of two ways A. like Mario, spun off into many good – to great games around many generas that you may or may not chose to buy, or like Sonic mistreated and beaten to death, this can only be decided in time. Thats what becomes of mascots, and there is no doubt that Halo is the xbox's mascot. Until God of War comes out I will not buy a PS3, I cant feel at "Home" yet with a company who wants me to buy a console with the comfort that "Games will come on the way our previous consoles didnt have great games till year 3." In the day and age when companies always have to be procactive and on the leading edge of which technology is to come, I am afraid that year 3 may be a year to late.
Great debate, guys.
I completely understand your choices, but we can't play the "what if" game. What if Sony released the PS3 first? What if the Wii was actually a 1080P system? What if Microsoft actually tried to support HD DVD by actually putting the drive in the console? Sony made the right choice and they have succeeded because of that. So you're basically punishing them for wanting to give you more opinions than just an overheating video game machine? My biggest disappointment with Microsoft is that abandoned the innovation I saw in the original Xbox and started mass marketing itself as a hardcore gaming system. Halo became a frag fest with dual-wielding weapons. Gears of War became the second biggest franchise on the console. That's all well and good, but when all you have are stellar FPS titles, you're not going to satisfy everyone…hence Microsoft's need to buy / acquire exclusives outside that genre while Sony actually has great games in several genres. I see the PS3 as more innovated and honestly, it is truly a next generation console. This generation is not just about gaming. It's about entertainment. Sony flat out offers more ways to entertain you on the PS3 than Microsoft does on the 360. That's just my opinion because I'm a big tech geek. I'm a videophile but as a gamer. I like the way Sony approached this "war" and the proof is in the pudding as they say. Like I said…I don't hate the 360. I abhor how myopic their focus has become. Master Chief on a 7-Eleven cup? Seriously. The mere fact that Sony doesn't have to do all that stuff and they're slowly gaining on Microsoft in console sales evinces more than I could ever say. And btw …PS3 is still in year 2…if you're waiting to buy one just for GoW 3, so be it. But if you haven't played Heavenly Sword, Uncharted, Metal Gear Solid 4, Resistance, or even SingStar, then maybe you should. After you do that, we'll have this conversation again. I have a feeling you'll be singing a different tune then.
I dont know how you can say Microsoft abandond innovation, its called Xbox live and its the basis upon which everyone has tried to duplicate, and are still trying to catch up on. So to say Microsoft has left innovation to the way side is (Insert pun here). Also we do play the games of what if, especially when speaking about "Gaming consoles, and what we play games on" Blue Ray was Sonys savior and I totally commend them for having hindsight to do include BlueRay. Answer me this, do you truly believe the mass market are buying PS3 because it offers the most for Hardcore, and casual gamers, or are the buying it cause it is the Best, and cheapest Blue Ray player on the market. Tell me about Sonys innovations, what has Sony done for gamers that "Gamers" that isnt either catching up to what Nintendo and or Microsoft has been doing. Up till now Sony has litteraly filled us with empty promises and tons of wait its coming. They decked us over when the console came out by giving us different hardware specs than promised, they now want us to buy new controllers cause they decide that now "Rumble is this gen…sorry" and have make numerous remarks in the past how the gamer really does not matter. Hey lets take out backwards compatability totally, and say its not what gamers want but later this year we can open a ps2 store in the Playstaion store. Where the hell is home, and does anyone care anymore? I have been pod casting for a long time and in that time it has only been recently that Sony has shown any interest in helping independents out, while all the while Microsoft has had its hand in helping the community. Master chief on a 7-11 how myopic of Microsoft, its not nearly as tasteful as Sony whom does their God of War 2 marketing stunt wherein officials decapitated a goat and encouraged people to reach in to the corpse and feast on the objects in its stomach. Soooo much better Sony right on. Anyway thats not what this conversation is about its about Halo, and Halo is Microsofts Mario and as such it is going to get that
This would make for a great Podcast topic.
1) Microsoft's innovation ended when they created Xbox Live. Ever since then they paid off long time running Playstation developers instead of creating new properties., milked the heck out of your beloved Halo franchise, and copied everybody else's ideas (motion control, avatars, online communities ala Home, and even games like LIPS.) 2) Have you seen Sackboy on a cup yet? That's the difference here. Microsoft spends money like crazy to win people over. The company is like that unpopular kid that spends money trying to buy popularity. Sony has many more established franchises than Microsoft's 2. That's why your whole waiting until year 3 argument fails. Eventually all those franchises are going to have games on the PS3. Sony spaces their games out which is why most of their Playstation properties have lasted so long. Microsoft is going to kill the franchise. I call it the "John Cena" effect. 3) It doesn't matter why people are buying the PS3. Sony is making money. How can you guarantee the people that do buy the PS3 for Blu Ray won't ever buy a PS3 game? Even more importantly, if what you say is true, then Microsoft is going to be destroyed on the sales charts simply because both gamers and videophiles are buying the PS3 while just gamers bought the 360. 4) My first post ever on these forums showed just how ignorant I was. I hated on the PS3 for trivial reason much like you do now. It wasn't until I actually played the system and learned what it could really do, that I started to respect and see what Sony was truly doing. Until you get your PS3, my words are falling on deaf ears. That's exactly why I gave up on the PSH Radio gig. I wanted to teach people about the PS3…but it is quite clear that no matter what I say…there's too much blind hate. I do take solace in the fact that the PS3 is selling better than the 360 without mass marketing. I logged on the other day and saw about 6 people from Platform Nation all on at the same time. There's no special Sony cups. There's no title that sold 8.1 million. It's still $100 more. There's no in-game invites….but for some reason, some strange absurd reason….Platform Nation people are buying the console. I guess we must all be watching Blu Rays and wishing Halo was on the PS3.
1). Everyone copies off of everyone, it can be said Six-axis copied off of the wii, although very badly. For Microsoft to copy Homes online community doesn’t home have to exist to be copied off of? 2). As an adult male are you really going to bring up Sack boy? And just wait my friend, it is only in the last week that Sony announced Sack boy as the Playstation Mascot, the marketing floodgates will come. My whole argument of the wait till year three does not fail cause its that attitude that has stopped me from purchasing a PS3, I have no Sony hate, in fact every episode I praise my PSP. As a hard working American father I have to see real value before putting 400 to 500 on a console plus all the extras. It has to make sense, and right now with my gaming tastes and Sony’s approach to what they offer compared to what I already have, it doesn’t make sense for me to own one. And I agree with you about Sony spacing out their games, that’s why Crash Bandicoot is still going strong, and its not like Ratchet and Clank have not been milked to death, and Sony would never hurt any of their franchises by making something silly like a Jak and Daxter racing game right? And its not good for gamers and videophiles who are buying the PS3 while just gamers bought the 360, because it is costing Sony a lot more to produce consoles, and do you think EA really gives a shit how many copies of mean girls are sold on Blue Ray. If there are more PS3's out there but only a small percentage of the user base is actually buying games (With the exception of those that everyone would buy ala Madden or a COD) Gaming companies are going to focus on the 360 and wii, thus meaning for the most part the Sony fan base is either A. Only going to see their systems power be harnessed by the FEW first party releases. B. Always be late to the party, ALA Bio Shock, and for the hardcore who for the most part own all three consoles, these guys are not going to wait for it to come out months later on the PS3. I don’t want to see it happen, I do really appreciate the PS3's power but if it is only used in rarities, while for me, software wise, Microsoft continues to get it done, how can I not put up a front. I call it the "Reality" effect. 3.) How much money is Sony really making, its software that makes these fools money not consoles sales. Doesn’t it bother you that so much cash was dropped into making the masterpiece known as Metal Gear Solid 4 only to have it drop off the sales charts not even 2 months after its release while PS3 consoles continue to sell. Halo is still on the top sales chart every month. Kind of funny huh? 4.) Your not ignorant, your very smart, and as a consumer you want to justify your purchase, its o.k. to feel that way. But you have to remember I look at it from the point that there may be someone, a gamers whom has yet to buy a console that is reading this post and I’m trying to look at it from both perspectives and if you want High definition movie player get a PS3, if you want a gaming system that the 360. Im not going to respond anymore cause this was not supposed to be a PS3 Vs. 360 debate. Its supposed to be the realization that ALL gaming companies milk their franchises, ALL gaming consoles want the guap ($$$), that's the way of the world, all we can do is voice our opinions with more strongly with our wallets and if and when Halo 4 comes out if I see you playing it, than everything you just said in for naught. Because when fan boys want to rant for rants sake then to turn around and buy the games they so protest it helps the industry and the gamers in no way what so ever.
Gui J….please read your post again. You say two things that seem to contradict. 1) "your gaming tastes" 2) "I look at it from the point that there may be someone, a gamers whom has yet to buy a console that is reading this post" Yes…this post was about Halo. You took something I said and blew it up into something more. Why? You have no clue what you're talking about concerning the PS3. That's not meant to offend you. That's the blunt honesty. You haven't owned the system. You haven't played the system for extensive periods of time. You haven't even given the system a chance. In the media business, a reporter has to have sources, proof, or experience on an issue to be credible. Thrillhouse , Steve, Desz, and Chia may take a neutral stance on them, but I listen because they've actually owned both systems. I may not always agree with them, but I know they've played the same things I have and when they give criticism, it comes from experience. As a hard worker father, I understand why you make very astute decisions about purchases. However, what you're doing is telling people half the story. You are a podcaster and that's all the more reason for you to be educated on all angles of the console world before giving such biased opinions. "Your gaming tastes" should not dictate what uncommitted console buyers purchase because their tastes might be different than yours. Furthermore, your arguments here demonstrate to any PS3 owner that you don't have a handle on what the PS3 offers. The bottom line here is you are discounting the PS3 as a gaming machine despite the fact that you don't own one. How can you possibly intellectually or logically make that discernment? You're coming off as a fanboy…not a podcaster. I hate Halo because it appeals to a different audience. I was on the Xbox float since Day 1. I loved the original. I just grew tired of it. However, the difference between you and me is that I'm not telling anybody not to buy Halo 3 or saying that it's not a good shooter. My point was that I don't care who makes Halo 4. It will sell well and I won't buy it. Plain and simple. You are telling everybody the PS3 is just a Blu Ray player. It shouldn't be bought by gamers and you won't buy it until one specific game comes out. Do you not see the error in your judgment? Anyway…Have a Happy Labor Day.
I for one am very interested in all the halo back story, its a cool universe. So for those of you with just as much of a life as I, have you noticed the older styled armor plate on the hand? To me this smells like a story from a different Spartan's perspective, what with the chief Mars/Onyx bound in the ass end of the dawn.
great way to turn this into a ps3 vs 360 debate. i thought the story was about H4? so as it is about H4 and not peoples biased views… Halo is a MS property so it, to me, it doesn't matter who makes it. If I was MS I would have picked someone besides Gearbox though. The last couple Brothers in Arms were lacking and while the new one looks cool I don't think that is who Halo fans will want making H4. As for it being another launch title… if you didn't think the 720 was going to be out in 2010-2011 then your naive. Its not that the 360 can't compete technology wise (it still has more memory then the ps3) or graphic wise (they both at 1080p, highest resolution there is) its just the decision MS made. Keeping the PS3 at a 10 year cycle hurt it in the beginning and, i feel, will hurt it more in the last years. I have no issue getting another xbox in 2 years as the technology will be superior then and it will be about time.
Infected…isn't your last post hypocritical? Halo 4 and then you render your passionate views on Microsoft and your disdain for the PS3's plans. I'm just calling your BS here. Two kids with crayons can draw every frame of the game and because the "masses are asses," they'll run out and buy Halo 4. It doesn't matter. People don't care about quality. They care about hype. The few people that do care about quality are the ones busting people's balls about defective products. Halo 3 was barely entertaining. All the level designs were boring and more of the same stuff I've played in Halo. The enemies were more challenging and varied, but it still felt like I was playing the same game over and over again. It was boring. I loved the first one. I liked the second one. I hated the third. I'm just sick of Halo. I can see where people love the series. It's probably the second best shooter out there. But don't hand me bullcrap and tell me it's roses. Like I said…Gears of Wars is a better series in my opinion. The gameplay was more varied and intense. The characters have more personality. The levels were intricate and beautiful. The thrill of the original Halo is gone. Long gone are the days when you could go a whole match without dying. Now you have to either camp or eventually be backdoor loved by some duel-wielding noob. Pistol or no pistol, in Halo, playing in multiplayer brought honor…not luck. Master Chief is supposed to be better than an average soldier so why does he need two weapons at the same time? Why does he need a battle rifle to take down somebody when a pistol in MC's hand can get the job done. They basically destroyed the idea of Master Chief being a super soldier. The only difference between him and the other Space Marines running around was his armor. That's where the story lost me. The sighted pistol was excellent. No other game had that. But no…they changed it because they wanted to be like every other game and give you numerous weapons to do different jobs. Maybe my posts here are too critical, but at least, I'm not going to be coerced, talked, or marketed into believing that Halo 3 and now Halo 4 is the best shooter in the galaxy and by default makes the 360 the best console. It's a shame that since day one of the original Xbox launch, I've been the guy telling people the system was more than the "Halobox." 7 years later and now it seems that both Microsoft and the fans are only confirming that label.
In the name of letting this post die already " TheL1T1G4T0R is right, hes always right, if Jesus and Chuck Norris told him other wise it would not matter cause hes right!" So can we let this die already? Infected and I are xbox fanboys and "we will" till the end support any Halo game that comes out cause we are the buttholes in the asses of the masses.
Well this is a pretty big thought. What if the new owners for halo 4, that is if they do make halo 4 but anyway what if they make halo 4 for both xbox and playstation or better yet all next generation systems! Think about it all those new owners are probably thinking about making big bucks off of it. So why not double or yet triple the money they make by making the game multi system compatable! this will make xbox lovers that own playstation systems become happy once again. Those new owners would piss off xbox owners and probably bring the sale price for the new xbox down 15%. Think about it?
Im pretty sure that no one will want to buy windos vista just for halo 4. Alot of gamers like to buy systems that are simple and uncostly. Sure ps3 is costly but it has free live in the end u end up like saving 300 dollars. So if a new xbox comes out why not think about playstation 3 bill gates will probably mess up can? Halo 4 for ps3 and free live makes like 2 millon dollars. Hell I would do it.
REPLY!!
halo 3 will own halo 4 mythic maps ftw LOLhalo 3 will own halo 4 mythic maps ftw LOLhalo 3 will own halo 4 mythic maps ftw LOLhalo 3 will own halo 4 mythic maps ftw LOLhalo 3 will own halo 4 mythic maps ftw LOLhalo 3 will own halo 4 mythic maps ftw LOLhalo 3 will own halo 4 mythic maps ftw LOLhalo 3 will own halo 4 mythic maps ftw LOLhalo 3 will own halo 4 mythic maps ftw LOLhalo 3 will own halo 4 mythic maps ftw LOLhalo 3 will own halo 4 mythic maps ftw LOLhalo 3 will own halo 4
i hope dat there will be a halo 4
I think there would be no point to make a Halo 4 even by a different company. Halo 3 left off on a good note and if they want they can just expand off of Halo 3 like how they are already doing with the expansion pack Halo 3 ODST. And about “Halo 4″ being on the next gen xbox being called the “720″, thats highly unlikely because the Xbox 360 was called what it is now because Microsoft became a world-wide company around the release of the Xbox 360 hense its name.
you know regardless of weather or not halo 4 is a launch title it doesnt matter who makes it, i doubt that any one could ruin wat halo has become. aside from making it a 2D side scroller. how many diffrent people have werked on nintendos mario series i know that mario is a dead horse but seriously i know peole that would get kick out repeatedly poking that dead horse witha stick. If microsoft decides to follow suit and release a new console in 2010 2011 it will be good for them while sony spends money trying keep there old horses alive Microsoft will be racing there new thuroghbread stallion. it would do Microsoft good to release a new system and have halo 4 as a launcher. it would definetly be better that PDZ any day.
The Halo series is way too popular for there not to be another game. As for the rant, this is just stupid. If you like ps3, then go with it, but dont sit here and chew people out and throw punches back and forth just because your opinon is different. This was about Halo 4, not sales, or anything else. And the PS3 is a great system, so is Xbox. Cant you just leave it at that?
Halo 3 said “Finish The Fight”. So I’m interested on how they are going to change things around for another game.
The covenet is broken…
The Ark is destored…
and the war for earth is over…
the thing that i think they will do is that the Master chief is going to cathch into the gravitational pull of the planet that was behind him in the scene after the credits. He crashs and theres something wrong going on with the planet. He’s all alone and he has to survive. That would explain the picture. Mabye there is covent, a thing of rebls or something on the planet, and he can take thier ships, or get a hold of the UNSCDF. Mabye? I don’t know, jsut ideas. Anyway. Thats all.
~Link
The PS3 is a great console. The Xbox 360 is a great console. They have both an exclusive range of games which only work on that particular console; like Halo wars , Gears2 and Fable2 ((dont go on at me at my choices of games)). Three completely different games which just make sense on the Xbox 360. But i could never see the xbox having Metal gear of Resistance, which sony pulls off really well. I don’t get what we’re fighting about when they are both good consoles…
As you all may now halo 4 has not been truly released. it is just a rumor to get people exited. The real thing/ project they are working on is Hale OST/Recon, and Halo reach wich also has not truly come out but they say it is a big possibility. But still i expect the Xbox 360 to have at leased a 5-6 year lifespan Making any game opening the new xbox will not be seen till 2012.
But i would like halo to also continue. It is a big franchise and it is one of the biggest games to hit the gaming world.
What is that thing in the picture?
I for one am also not ready to buy this new xbox system. Too many xbox modifications such as the elite and pro, I do not see much difference in both types other than minor ones such as fan blowing or slight tempreture decrease. Btw halo 4? new story, fresh start (sort of), pretty cool.