343 Industries worries 'constantly' about Halo oversaturation
by Richard Mitchell 
{ Nov 5th 2009 at 7:00PM } 
Regarding the various Halo products, O'Connor said, "All of that stuff has existed in the past, and it exists because of one simple reason, which is demand. We wouldn't make it if we weren't continually being asked for it." He added, "We obviously turn down almost infinitely more stuff than we actually produce, but when we produce it there's a good reason and a good plan and a strong demand."
As an example, O'Connor noted Halo Wars Risk, saying that the two games "had a natural connection" and that board game manufacturers actually received requests for a Halo strategy game. Still, he said that 343 has also had requests for things that "don't make any sense." Even if there is a demand, said O'Connor, "If it doesn't actually make sense and it's completely crazy, we won't do it."
Keep an eye out for the full interview later this week.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
xgarryx(warXroutine on LIVE and PSN) @ Nov 5th 2009 7:02PM
as long as there's no halo rock band im ok.
mahouneko @ Nov 5th 2009 7:45PM
Shh! Stop giving them ideas!
Actually, I'd like to see the Master Chief rock on with an electric guitar.
James @ Nov 6th 2009 9:11AM
[Peter Griffin says:] Really, 343 Industries? You have to worry about oversaturation of Halo? Reeeeaaalllly? *deep breath* *sighs*
Darth Bradwart, The Dark Lord of the Sith @ Nov 5th 2009 7:03PM
Well, it is a danger...but as long as Activision doesn't get ahold of it...
So far, the released content has been fairly high quality.
Misanthropic Gamer @ Nov 5th 2009 7:05PM
Isn't it a little late to be worrying now?
LegendaryRedass @ Nov 5th 2009 7:12PM
I'll worry when I see Halo boxers at walmart. For all I know, they've gottem already.
TiLoBrown @ Nov 5th 2009 7:20PM
I think I have seen the Halo boxers....think it was Kmart...
Xerone @ Nov 5th 2009 7:34PM
Target. They're at Target! :D
Dreaded Fear @ Nov 5th 2009 7:11PM
Well as long as they are good games, and Halo fans enjoy them, I don't think they have much to worry about.
SpyderTaco (PSN: Ar4chNova89) @ Nov 5th 2009 7:12PM
They're a little late..
maxim @ Nov 5th 2009 7:15PM
Halo Condoms that glow in the dark
WREturns [Planeteer I Power of The Final Countdown] @ Nov 5th 2009 7:43PM
Tagline: "Don't let your little Spartan go in unprotected"
T @ Nov 6th 2009 12:36AM
Condoms? Wouldn't they be "Overshields"?
Riley @ Nov 6th 2009 12:50AM
or Mjolnir
Look At This Suit @ Nov 5th 2009 7:16PM
I can vouch for the books myself. Many people write them off as crappy fanfiction types (a recent VGcats springs to mind), but they're competent books. I enjoyed all of them (Except for The Flood, it sucked) immensely, and they really add to the Halo universe.
Xerone @ Nov 5th 2009 7:36PM
I completely agree. They're great books and Halo has a fantastic story. Also, skip The Flood. Same story as the original Halo game, but poorly written.
The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] @ Nov 6th 2009 1:32AM
the flood was basically 300 pages of "The Chief slapped another clip into his MA5B Assault Rifle." the other books were wonderful though, although less so in the case of The Cole Protocol. The new Forerunner series is written by Greg Bear though! So that's real encouraging, even though the other books have been just as good as some of his
Mr Khan @ Nov 5th 2009 7:23PM
I don't think they've overdone it so far. The only product that ever irked me was their Halo 3 Gamer Fuel, but that was more the pretentious idea of "gamer fuel," rather than it's association with Halo
Riley @ Nov 6th 2009 12:49AM
but it was actually really good
The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] @ Nov 6th 2009 1:34AM
better than code red imo. I bought like 12 cases of the WoW kind so they'd last me until they make more for a new game
Riley @ Nov 6th 2009 4:53AM
I considered doing that when the Halo stopped being sold.
I wish i had some money to do it this time around...
also, i wish they actually sold it in 2 liters, it's so much cheaper by volume
kewlguy @ Nov 5th 2009 7:23PM
Isnt that already happening with Mario?
WREturns [Planeteer I Power of The Final Countdown] @ Nov 5th 2009 7:44PM
Well what do you expect? The guy is more popular than Mickey Mouse at this point...
Ulquiorra Cifer @ Nov 5th 2009 7:23PM
you can never have too much Halo
mahouneko @ Nov 5th 2009 7:33PM
@Ulquiorra:
Why are you still here? You've pretty much swore off on Joystiq and were going back to N4G.
http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/05/analyst-sony-was-saved-by-the-success-of-the-wii/comments/22852214/
Ulquiorra Cifer @ Nov 5th 2009 7:36PM
nah you ladies have given me a nickname and all, I just cant stand the SDF on this site, taking my hearts for anything
mahouneko @ Nov 5th 2009 7:47PM
I'm pretty sure that it's not the SDF. It looked more like you were just being a dick to everyone else.
WREturns [Planeteer I Power of The Final Countdown] @ Nov 5th 2009 7:57PM
It's not just the SDF taking your hearts there, little missy...
Mr Mobius - the wandering artist @ Nov 5th 2009 7:27PM
So I can't expect Halo Ball in a Cup then? Damn!
Spike (GT: SitriStahl) @ Nov 6th 2009 4:56AM
get the ball and turn orange, then when the ball goes in the cup, it explodes, or am i thinking of grifball?
mahouneko @ Nov 5th 2009 7:31PM
Wasn't that the whole point of taking the risk with making a Halo Risk game?
Riley @ Nov 6th 2009 4:54AM
I see what you did there...
Clavius @ Nov 5th 2009 7:31PM
Awww.. but I want to be able to buy Halo Diapers for children.
Ashkental @ Nov 5th 2009 7:43PM
Joystiq is Oversaturated of Halo...
Come on, throw in some God of War now and then!
JeezWhiz87 @ Nov 5th 2009 9:10PM
Quiet you, or they'll bring back Pachter!
Orion @ Nov 5th 2009 7:52PM
While I personally hate Halo, I don't think they're over saturating the market.
When it becomes like Mario and he has a tennis game, a go kart game, a soccer game, an rpg, ect then I'd worry.
mahouneko @ Nov 5th 2009 8:18PM
Hey, Mario RPG was awesome (for the SNES). To this day, I still enjoy watching Princess Peach smack her enemies with the frying pan.
Mr Khan @ Nov 5th 2009 8:45PM
I would assert that most of Mario's tertiary exploits have been satisfactory, except for Party 4 through 8, and the Baseball games.
Ryan Hamilton @ Nov 5th 2009 8:51PM
too late!
DeepFriedSushi @ Nov 5th 2009 9:21PM
funny coming from a guy who has a megaman avatar....
also find it funny that R&C series somehow manages to dodge the spotlight. 9 separate releases (11 if you count psp versions) in 7 years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratchet_&_Clank_%28series%29
Courtney @ Nov 5th 2009 11:59PM
Because Ratchet doesn't have all the tertiary stuff that Halo does (books, board games, comics, anime, multiple toy lines, spinoff games, etc), at least as far as I know R&C doesn't.
XBL: cliftonJONES @ Nov 5th 2009 9:03PM
i just would like to know which products they decided to say no to...
Lurkero @ Nov 5th 2009 9:11PM
I think fanboys will stick to Halo for as long as possible. It will become a problem when the "Halo Kartz" and "Halo: Party Evolved"
JeezWhiz87 @ Nov 5th 2009 9:12PM
They should make this a downloadable title. I'd pay a few bucks for a copy of Halo Risk I could play on line. I'll keep checking the PSN for it.
shinyrob @ Nov 5th 2009 9:20PM
"343 Industries worries 'constantly' about Halo oversaturation" ...too late.
The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] @ Nov 6th 2009 1:34AM
oh wow aren't you clever?
Ryan Hamilton @ Nov 5th 2009 9:49PM
I agree!
carg0 @ Nov 6th 2009 12:19AM
the only thing not directly tied to the core series (halo 1-3 & Master Chief) that showed real promise was Halo Wars by Ensemble Studios. a studio that successfully operated in the PC arena for over a decade.
and they were axed before the game was released on store shelves...
Skaz @ Nov 6th 2009 3:03AM
And reformed into Robot immediately afterwards.
Ryan Hamilton @ Nov 6th 2009 2:38AM
I agree with Courtney now!