Joystiq

Microsoft says Halo Chronicles is 'on hold' - doesn't use the 'C' word

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST

While Microsoft wouldn't say that Halo Chronicles was "canceled" - Peter Jackson told us during the San Diego Comic-Con that the ambitious episodic series was "no longer happening" - it did confirm to us that the project was "on hold." Today, Microsoft hasn't outright confirmed the partnership's end, but clarified the project's current status.

"Microsoft Game Studios is deeply committed to supporting and strategically growing the Halo franchise, and our relationship with Peter and his team is something that we greatly value. Given the bandwidth of both of our companies we've decided to put this joint effort on hold and prioritize resources against other projects like Halo 3: ODST, Halo: Reach and Halo Legends."

Jackson's manager re-confirmed to the Company Town blog that the collaboration between Microsoft and Jackson had ended allegedly as early as last January. Microsoft has yet to comment on what role it plays in Wingnut Interactive, Jackson's game production company, said to be "still working on new IP."

Microsoft says Halo Chronicles is 'on hold' - doesn't use the 'C' word originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Halo Chronicles reconfirmed as canceled, Microsoft still not speaking

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:15:00 EST

After Peter Jackson told us last week, "That Halo project isn't happening," with regards to his not quite a game, not quite a movie, erm, thing, Halo Chronicles, we were still waiting for confirmation from Microsoft that the entire project is officially kaputz. And, well, we still don't know that. Speaking with Peter Jackson's manager, Ken Kamins, the Company Town blog further confirmed that on his side of the Pacific, the collaboration between Jackson and Microsoft (at the least) is over.

"They were scaling back everything, including the number of Halo games, and it just made sense at that point," Kamins said, allegedly referencing the January layoffs at Microsoft. Furthermore, according to Jackson's manager, "Peter [Jackson] has people in Wingnut Interactive working on original intellectual property." Wingnut Interactive is the studio born out of a partnership between Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh (his business partner), and Microsoft Game Studios. It seems as though Mr. Jackson might be working on some games of his own for now -- with or without Microsoft and, as it would seem, the Master Chief. Microsoft has yet to make any statement regarding, well, any of this.

Halo Chronicles reconfirmed as canceled, Microsoft still not speaking originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Peter Jackson: Halo Chronicles 'no longer happening'

Christopher Grant — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:44:00 EST

After years of speculation - appearing on our E3 bingo cards for the last two years in a row (2008, 2009) - it looks like we can finally lay to rest questions about Halo Chronicles, the much-ballyhooed partnership between would-be Halo movie producer Peter Jackson and Microsoft Game Studios. When asked about the project following a screening of District 9 - directed by would-be Halo movie director Neill Blomkamp - Jackson told Joystiq, "That Halo project is no longer happening, it sort of collapsed when the movie didn't end up happening."

First announced in September of 2006, the project was later revealed to be an "episodic" series in 2007 and confirmed as recently as April of last year, when Microsoft said, "Microsoft Game Studios has been hard at work collaborating with Peter Jackson and Bungie on the development of [a Peter Jackson-helmed Halo project]." Another job listing in August of last year again alluded to continued development of the project. With key hires like Ryan Payton for Microsoft's newly unveiled Halo studio, 343 Industries, we're not sure what all is going on if Halo Chronicles isn't. We've asked Microsoft Game Studios to confirm Jackson's assertion and are hoping there's some sort of miscommunication here. Maybe "no longer happening" is a Kiwi euphemism for "totally happening." No?

Peter Jackson: Halo Chronicles 'no longer happening' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Peter Jackson tells Joystiq about the Halo movie, video game project

Kevin Kelly — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:59:00 EST

We caught up with Peter Jackson himself last night, after a screening of District 9 - the feature-length debut of director Neill Blomkamp who had previously been attached to helm the Halo movie that fizzled out. Jackson explained that they felt like they had an amazing director in Blomkamp and they didn't want to lose the opportunity to work with him so, instead of bringing Halo to the big screen, they created an entire film based on his Alive in Joburg short. (See the rest of Blomkamp's work here, in our roundup).

District 9 - which Jackson produced and is coming to theaters on August 14 - is seriously amazing. There's a wide array of alien weapons that would make Ratchet & Clank jealous, CGI aliens that look better than Avatar, walking mech suits, and a really amazing performance from lead actor Sharlto Copley. Clear your calendars and make plans to see this one. But back to the Halo movie that never was: After the screening, we got to sit down with Jackson to ask him about just that. Read on to find out where the Halo movies stands, and if we'll ever see the long-rumored Halo Chronicles video game project.

Continue reading Peter Jackson tells Joystiq about the Halo movie, video game project

Peter Jackson tells Joystiq about the Halo movie, video game project originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Former Metal Gear 4 producer joins new Halo team

Xav de Matos — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: News, Halo 3, Halo Wars

Yesterday, Microsoft confirmed that former Konami employee Ryan Payton will be joining Microsoft Game Studios. Payton will join a newly formed team that is responsible for all current and upcoming Halo titles.

In response to a rumor that Payton had been tapped as the lead producer for the long awaited Peter Jackson Halo Project, Microsoft would only confirm Payton was one of many employees recently hired to make up the new team, according to EDGE Online.

Among the other members of the Halo team announced is fan favorite ex-Bungie employee, Frank O'Connor. as well as former members of Gearbox, id and Pseudo Interactive.

Payton, who is best known for his work as an assistant producer on Metal Gear Solid 4, left Konami in August.

[via Joystiq]

Former Metal Gear 4 producer joins new Halo team originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MGS to MGS: Ryan Payton joins Microsoft Halo project; others confirmed on team

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, Business

Microsoft confirmed today that Ryan Payton, the assistant producer on Metal Gear Solid 4 who left Kojima Productions in August, will be working on a Halo game. Microsoft wouldn't confirm to Edge the rumors that Payton is heading the Peter Jackson Halo project, merely that he's on the team working on "upcoming and existing Halo games."

Also confirmed for this team: former Gearbox employee Corrine Yu; her husband and artist from id Software, Kenneth Scott; former Bungie content manager Frank O'Connor; and David Wu, former tech director at Full Auto developer Pseudo Interactive. We can't wait to learn what exactly this team is up to.

MGS to MGS: Ryan Payton joins Microsoft Halo project; others confirmed on team originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pardon Bungie's Dust, Superintendent strikes again

Xav de Matos — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Halo 3, Fan stuff

In a new encoded post on the official Bungie site a string of text teases what many anticipate was Bungie's canceled E3 reveal. Playing out like a snippet of a Hollywood script, the string of text details a conversation between a Captain - Codenamed: DARE.V.500341(S1) - following up on a squad request to an Admiral - Codenamed: SMN.ACTUAL - calling the shots from a location currently under siege.

At the time of this writing speculation continues to run wild within the Bungie Forums. Popular theories point to new campaign levels, a map pack retail disc with a new cinematic (as seen in Halo 2's map pack) or an entirely new title within the Halo Universe, specifically due to references of the MAC weapon. Some of the more interesting tidbits could easily be gleaned from scanning the string of text (available after the break). The primary, DARE, is given a code number which ends in S1 leading some to believe the string of text occurs prior to Covenant attacks during the SPARTAN-1 era (yr.2491) -- way before John-117 joins the program in 2517.

Which theory gets us excited? The mention of squads could point to a pre-Halo era tactical shooter in the original SPARTAN phase that led to the creation of Master Chief. Wild thinking and speculation but we can't wait to see where this one is going.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Pardon Bungie's Dust, Superintendent strikes again

Pardon Bungie's Dust, Superintendent strikes again originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Sep 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: MGS4's Ryan Payton directing new Halo project

Ludwig Kietzmann — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:15:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360

Is Metal Gear Solid 4 producer Ryan Payton directing Peter Jackson's Halo project? "Yes," comes the reply from Shacknews, corroborating (thanks, "reliable source!") a Kotaku rumor that places Payton in the "creative director" role on the forthcoming and exceedingly nebulous Halo project from Microsoft and the Lord of the Rings director, Peter Jackson.

If true, it would mark the second major franchise to be touched by Payton, who left Kojima Productions earlier this year. We've reached out to him for comment -- and for the privilege of touching someone who's a tag on our website.

Rumor: MGS4's Ryan Payton directing new Halo project originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MS: 'More than two or three teams' working on Halo

Dustin Burg — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, Halo 3, Halo Wars

In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, head of Microsoft Game Studios Phil Spencer talked about where the Halo franchise is headed (among other topics) and confirmed that multiple development teams are indeed working on numerous Halo projects.

"There's more than one team building Halo games right now. There are more than two or three teams building Halo things right now" says Spencer, adding "some of them we will own, some of them we won't." Hmm, interesting stuff. Currently, we're aware of two Halo titles, Halo Wars and the Peter Jackson projected dubbed Halo: Chronicles. So, if there's more than three teams working on games, how many Halo titles does that equate to and when do we get to hear about them? Whore that Halo franchise MGS, whore it out good!

MS: 'More than two or three teams' working on Halo originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft's Halo team bolstered by Gearbox's Corrinne Yu

Ludwig Kietzmann — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:15:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, First Person Shooters

The juicy "Gearbox is developing Halo 4 OMG" rumor continues to be at the top of fanboy debate lists, with Microsoft confirming to Kotaku that Corrinne Yu, director of technology at Gearbox and pictured in full Spartan armor, has been hired as principle engine architect (fancy!) for the Xbox manufacturer's internal Halo team. The official statement: "As the Halo franchise continues to flourish, Microsoft Game Studios is growing its internal team to develop future Halo projects."

And what could "future Halo projects" entail? Microsoft isn't blabbing, but suspicious men in trenchcoats posit that Yu will be working on the nebulous Peter Jackson project and putting her Unreal Engine 3 expertise to good use.

Microsoft's Halo team bolstered by Gearbox's Corrinne Yu originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Peter Jackson's Halo project still staffing up

Randy Nelson — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 21:25:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360

That's funny - we could have sworn it was August, not April. It was four months ago, after all, that we reported on Microsoft Game Studios' hiring push for director Peter Jackson's mysterious Halo universe project. Yet we're still seeing postings for what appear to be positions on the game's development team. In this case it's a biggie: creative director.

A new recruitment listing on Gamasutra states that "Microsoft Game Studios' Halo team is looking for a superstar Creative Director to help develop a new experience in the Halo universe." Of course, this could be another new Halo project, but further reading reveals otherwise. Additional responsibilities listed include "[partnering] with key Hollywood talent to collaboratively craft a masterful game experience," and "[collaborating] with game play designers, story writers, game writers, and said external luminary to deliver on a unique game in the Halo universe." We'll give you one guess who the "said external luminary is," and their name rhymes with "Eter Ackson."

[Via 1UP]

Rumor: Peter Jackson's Halo project still staffing up originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Aug 2008 21:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Halo Chronicles alpha evidence is fake [update]

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Rumors

Update: Looks like there is no Halo Chronicles alpha after all, as HBO has learned from Bungie's Luke Smith that the evidence is "100% fake."

According to AddictGaming.com, a Bungie employee has been spotted on Xbox Live* playing a game called Robins Perch. What's interesting is the descriptive text that follows: "Chronicles Alpha - Exploring Onyx." Chronicles, eh? Could that be Halo Chronicles, the upcoming collaboration between Peter Jackson and Bungie? We thinks it can. Why the codename Robins Perch though? Considering the Halo 3 alpha was codenamed Pimps at Sea -- the name of Bungie's long awaited piratical pimp simulator -- Robins Perch could be a play on Crow's Nest (the nautical term, not the Halo 3 level). Cute.

The part about exploring Onyx is particularly intriguing, as it implies there could be more than one planet to traverse. Could Halo Chronicles be the Halo MMO that has been rumored for ages? Whatever it is, hopefully the appearance of the alpha means we'll finally hear some solid news about Halo Chronicles soon (at a special event perhaps).

*Note: We can confirm that the gamertag spotted does indeed belong to a Bungie employee. We won't be giving it out for the sake of privacy.

[Thanks, Richard D]

Halo Chronicles alpha evidence is fake [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft: Bungie announcement 'held back' for special event

Xav de Matos — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, E3

The saga of Bungie v. Microsoft in The Case of the Missing Haloes continues. The L.A. Times spoke with Xbox senior VP Don Mattrick regarding the omission of Bungie's announcement from its Monday press conference. Mattrick told the writers that Microsoft decided to nix the reveal during the show to "save time."

Let that sink in for a moment, you 5+ million Halo fans. Time. Word around the campfire is Microsoft's conference was originally set to run for two-and-a-half hours, but Mattrick wanted to cut the show down to 90 minutes. Of the items to be cut from the show? Anything named Halo. Mattrick told the paper that Microsoft's conference already contained, "an embarrassment of riches," so the Halo trump cards were removed from the docket.

At least we still got to see that sweet Lips presentation though. Now that's a franchise!

Surely it had nothing to do with the fear of taking attention away from Final Fantasy XIII for 360. Balderdash! Or, Gears of War 2. Poppycock!

Now the question remains, when will we see the new ~~secret~~ Halo game Bungie is working on? "We felt we could do this game more justice with a more dedicated event," Mattrick said in the L.A. Times piece. Sounds like it was planned all along, it's just funny that Bungie took it the way they did. It's almost like they were left out of the loop.

Microsoft: Bungie announcement 'held back' for special event originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E308: Bungie responds to 'hoax' speculation

Xav de Matos — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: E3

Bungie.net has been updated. No, nothing was announced. That was canceled, but the update has come in the form of a quick-n-dirty Q&A regarding the situation. Responding specifically to internet claims that Bungie was masterminding a plot to trick fans only to later reveal an 'OMG-megaton,' Bungie's Luke Smith posted an update today -- and please, really listen.

"As much as fans wanted to believe otherwise, this is in fact, the truth and not a cruel hoax or prank. E3 is winding down and there are no plans to make a surprise announcement later this week," Smith wrote.

Smith does assure fans that everyone at Bungie is aware of their disappointment and even share in it as "a metric ton" of work was done to create and showcase something special at 7:07am this morning. Smith also does well by the community by answering some of the more controversial questions later last night.

Smith revealed that Bungie learned of the postponement near 7pm and for the sake of tradition timed the release that that time. The splash image was not removed for people who were not online during the situation and went to Bungie the next morning looking for details. Finally, Luke Smith assured fans that former tester Harold Ryan is the current president of Bungie LLC.

E308: Bungie responds to 'hoax' speculation originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E308: Mattrick confirms that Bungie is developing new Halo game

Xav de Matos — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:02:00 EST

Filed under: Interviews, E3

Maybe all the drama revolving the Bungie announcement and subsequent postponement wasn't worth the headache.

In an interview with MTV Multiplayer blog Microsoft's head of Xbox Don Mattrick confirmed that Bungie is working on a new Halo title. Mattrick told MTV that Bungie's next title wasn't revealed because Microsoft felt they had enough content and excitement surrounding its other announcements (Sup, Final Fantasy XIII).

When pressed on the lack of Halo news, specifically regarding Ensemble Studio's real-time title, Halo Wars, Matrrick told MTV not to worry and announcements would be coming and then let it slip that Bungie is working on a Halo title.

Matrrick then clarified that the Bungie project is not related to Halo Wars or the the long-announced Peter Jackson project, codenamed Halo: Chronicles.

Was this the 10:07 AM PT announcement, the rumored Halo-based tactical shooter or were they the same?

[Thanks, Dan Dizzle]

E308: Mattrick confirms that Bungie is developing new Halo game originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft E3 2008 press conference: Let's play bingo!

Ross Miller — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Microsoft Xbox, Microsoft Xbox 360, E3, Galleries


XNA Games Launch Deets	Fable 2 Online Co-op	Alan Wake Demoed	Secret Rare Game	60 GIG Hard Drive
Gears 2 4 player Co-op	Halo Chronicles	Too Human XBLM Demo	Rock Band 2 On Stage	Bungie Talks New Game
Dashboard Reborn	J Allard Returns	FREE SPACE Avatars!	Cliff Appears With Lancer	Metal Gear Online
Xbox 360 Price-Cut	'LIPS' Revealed	Halo Wars Release Date	Eternal Darkness 2	Third Party Xbox 360
Xbox Live Goes Free	Dishwasher Released	New X360 SKU	Motion Controller	Top Secret XBLA Games

In anticipation of next week's E3 Media and Business Summit, we've prepared bingo cards for each of the big press conferences, filled with some likely (and some not-so-likely) predictions for what each of the big three console makers intends to announce at arguably the biggest trade shows of the year.

Today's card is for Microsoft (special thanks to X3F). We're going out on a limb and giving Avatars away as the free space. Click on each of the slides above for more information about our predictions. Microsoft's E3 press conference is scheduled for next Monday at 10:30 am PT (that's 1:30 pm Joystiq Time / ET). As always, we'll be liveblogging the event, so you can play along in real-time with us.

Stay tuned for more press conference bingo cards in the days leading up to the conference. (Also: check out our bingo card for Sony's press conference.)

Download a copy (PNG file) and play along!

Update: Only hours after we post this ... N2, you hit my battleship!

Microsoft E3 2008 press conference: Let's play bingo! originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Halo Wars and Halo Chronicles info in latest GamePro

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: News

GamePro has revealed the cover of their July issue, which contains new information on Halo Wars. According to GamePro's website, the article will feature new details regarding the Covenant and Spartans as well as new vehicles including prototype Elephants, Wolverines and Vultures. While we're certainly excited about the new Halo Wars details, what's even more interesting is that the cover also states that the article will discuss Halo Chronicles. Fans will recognize the name as one of the rumored titles for Peter Jackson's Halo project. Hopefully the article has some real details regarding the game because, thus far, we've got bupkis.

New Halo Wars and Halo Chronicles info in latest GamePro originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Bungie's next game a third-person Halo prequel

Xav de Matos — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:15:00 EST

Filed under: Rumors

Let the rumor-rang fly! In the June issue of EGM, rumor hound Quarterman claims industry rumblings are pointing at a Halo prequel as Bungie's first title since parting from Microsoft. According to the popular rumor page of the magazine, the rumored game is a third-person action/shooter hybrid that will chronicle the early battles between the ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Troopers) and Covenant.

The Master Chiefless adventure would hit the Xbox 360 in late 2009 and may or may not be related to the "Peter Jackson Halo Project" we've been hearing about forever. Quarterman closes off the Halo-future tidbit telling readers to expect a massive reveal around the time Gears of War 2 hits retail.

From the description it sounds a little like "sci-fi Ghost Recon," doesn't it? Well, not to add fuel to the fire but considering former Ghost Recon lead designer and Ubisoft creative director Christian Allen jumped ship to Bungie in August 2007, this one could have some juice to it.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Rumor: Bungie's next game a third-person Halo prequel originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft now hiring Peter Jackson's Halo team [update]

Justin McElroy — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: PC, Microsoft Xbox 360

So, we've been hearing about Peter Jackson's Halo project since the Kennedy administration, but we've heard nary a peep in recent months. Now, MTV Multiplayer reports that it suspects Microsoft is hiring folks for the project this week, based on a recent job listing for a team to "help develop a new experience in the Halo universe."

The listings says that the team will work with an "external luminary" on the project, which has MTV thinking: Peter Jackson, duh. It has us thinking, "Are you seriously just now getting started on this?" Here's hoping we find out more about the mystery project in the coming days.

Update: Microsoft has confirmed with MTV that the job listings are for the Jackson project. "Microsoft Game Studios has been hard at work collaborating with Peter Jackson and Bungie on the development of [a Peter Jackson-helmed Halo project]. At this time, it's necessary to grow the internal team to keep pace with development. Bungie will continue to remain involved in multiple aspects of the Halo Universe with MGS."

Microsoft now hiring Peter Jackson's Halo team [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bungie's next game "totally different"

Xav de Matos — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 11:45:00 EST

Filed under: News

It looks like Bungie took notes on the subject of hype while under the massive money-lined wing of Microsoft. On the latest installment of the Bungie Podcast regulars Frank O'Connor, Luke Smith and Brian Jarrard were joined by Christian Allen, former Ghost Recon 2 creative director, and teased listeners with the studio's newest project. Brian "Sketch" Jerrard confirmed that at least some of the staff are working on a new title and not Halo 3 downloadable content or an expansion. Jarrad specifically states the next game for Bungie is not Halo 3 related, but could it be related to the Peter Jackson project? It seems unlikely as Jarrard calls the new project, "totally different" and talks up what he's been able to see thus far. While Bungie makes everyone guess, we'd like to go on record and wager Bungie's next game is going to be a sequel of another popular Xbox title, Barbie's Horse Adventure 2: Horse Whisperin'.

Bungie's next game "totally different" originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Feb 2008 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumor: Next Halo project to be a FPS MMO?

Dustin Burg — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 09:45:00 EST

Filed under: News, Rumors

Sandwiched within' the pages of the December issue of EGM is a new Halo rumor stating that either the Peter Jackson project or Bungie's next gaming venture could be a FPS MMO. EGM's rumor mole received special "word" that Microsoft is already busy creating a FPS MMO for the Xbox 360 and that it is tied to Bungie in some way. If one were to take the rumor further, one could speculate that the hush, hush Peter Jackson project or Bungie's post Halo 3 project could end up being the rumored MMO. Interesting stuff indeed. No matter where the rumor originated from or what is references to, we're going to hold off on getting excited until we get official word from Microsoft or until we get some concrete proof. Though, we wouldn't totally be against playing in a MMO Halo world ... it'd be liked WoW, but so much cooler.

Rumor: Next Halo project to be a FPS MMO? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Oct 2007 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Joystiq interviews Bungie's Frank O'Connor: Peter Jackson details

Richard Mitchell — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, Action, First Person Shooters, Interviews, E3

During a late night Microsoft interview session last Friday, we had a few minutes to chat with Bungie's head writer and (handsome) public face, Frank O'Connor. As was the case with our previously mentioned Peter Molyneux interview, we only had four minutes before being shuffled off to the next interviewee. The next interviewee, as it turns out, was Peter Molyneux. We'll let you sort out this blog writing time paradox on your own. For now, it's time to focus on the subject at hand: Pimps at Sea. Oh, and we asked a few questions about Halo as well.

First of all, when did you actually start Halo 3's production? Was it almost immediately after Halo 2?

Some of it was even before, you know, some of the concepting and design stuff was done before then, but pretty much three years of development.

When you were doing Halo 2, was there a time when you were thinking Halo 1, Halo 2 and that was it, or were you always thinking trilogy?

We were thinking of a trilogy. I can't say that we felt that during Halo 1 but certainly during Halo 2. That became very apparent that there was more story to tell than could fit into a 10 hour, 11 hour game.

The last trilogy you did for Mac was the Marathon games. And Halo 1 you were originally doing for Mac ...

There's some symmetry there, yeah.

Continue reading Joystiq interviews Bungie's Frank O'Connor: Peter Jackson details

Joystiq interviews Bungie's Frank O'Connor: Peter Jackson details originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 15 Jul 2007 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Peter Jackson working on episodic Halo content

James Ransom-Wiley — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 15:56:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, Online, GDC

During the second annual "Blogger Breakfast," Microsoft's Shane Kim revealed that Peter Jackson's forthcoming Xbox 360 projects will be episodic. "Peter Jackson is developing two episodic series," said Kim, reconfirming, "the first is in the Halo universe." Both projects are still lingering in their early design phases, but Microsoft hopes they will eventually serve as models for other developers to follow.

When pried for more details about the as-yet-unnamed second series and release strategies for the content, Kim remained tight-lipped: "I may have said too much already." In reality Kim has added very little to what was already known. The lone revelation: (after all the talk) Microsoft is finally preparing to walk the 'episodic' walk. Good thing Jackson appears to be in shape -- it might be a long trek.

Peter Jackson working on episodic Halo content originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Mar 2007 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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X06 announcements crammed into a single post

Ludwig Kietzmann — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 19:15:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360

Microsoft's X06 event started off in a thunderous explosion of news, with pieces of informative debris raining down upon the unshielded denizens of the internet since yesterday. If you're feeling clueless or overwhelmed, allow us to subject you to a helpful hail of bullet points:

Peter Jackson reveals a new partnership with Microsoft Game Studios. The king of the rings and his newly established Wingnut Interactive studio will work on an original property for the Xbox 360, as well as an unnamed Halo title. One can only hope that the crappy-game-based-on-a-movie and the crappy-movie-based-on-a-game curses cancel each other out when it comes time to play Peter Jackson's Halo: The Game of the Movie of the Game.
A new RTS, Halo Wars, is unveiled. Set in a time before the first Halo, the real-time strategy game is being developed exclusively for the Xbox 360 by Ensemble Studios. Many confused pundits take the opportunity to point out that the Xbox 360 does not have a keyboard or a mouse.
Grand Theft Auto IV will have two "epic" downloadable episodes exclusively on Xbox 360. Rockstar and Take-Two promise that the new episodes will provide "hours" of new gameplay and will be available "just months" after the game's October 2007 release. The vague wording of the announcement fails to rule out the possibility that the PS3 could receive different downloadable episodes of its own.
The next Splinter Cell game is console-exclusive to the Xbox 360 -- meaning handhelds and the PC are still fair game. Fewer people are upset by this than those who realize Splinter Cell: Double Agent isn't available on anything yet.
Bioshock is exclusive to Xbox 360 and Windows when it releases "next Spring". The wording of the press release says nothing of the game should it release during any other season following Spring. Of course, nobody likes waiting ...
Project Gotham Racing 4 is coming. And the surprise hit gamers with all the force of a linen sheet flapping in the wind.
Rare is working on a new Banjo-Kazooie game. Presumably, players are still keen on collecting all the coins, apples, music notes, beans, feathers, diamonds, pearls, potions, rings, blocks, wrenches and / or yams mysteriously floating around the finely rendered landscape.
Marvel Universe Online is announced for the Xbox 360 and Windows Vista. It's being developed by the folks behind City of Heroes -- perhaps you remember Marvel suing them for creating tools that allowed people to venture online as, err, Marvel characters.
Doom and Sensible World of Soccer join the Xbox Live Arcade lineup. The classic first-person shooter was already available yesterday for 800 points ($10). The Amiga footie title has not been given a release date yet, though the press release insists on using the word "soon."
The Xbox 360 HD-DVD costs $199.99 in North America and €199.99/£129.99 in the UK, France and Germany. It arrives in mid-November and will include the Xbox 360's Universal Media Remote and the HD-DVD version of Peter Jackson's King Kong. And with that, the circle is complete.

Congrats, scavenger hunter, you've found the secret c o d e good for one free copy of B A N K S H O T B I L L I A R D S 2: PRF4Q W798V G7JX9 2RX2W VT94G (Contest ran on 12/30/2006. The code has been redeemed.)

X06 announcements crammed into a single post originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 28 Sep 2006 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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X06: Two new Halo projects announced (w/ Peter Jackson!)

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: News

The most awkward moment of today's X06 press briefing may also have been the most profound. We are of course talking about the moment that Peter Jackson took the stage to massive applause. While PJ -- we call him PJ -- looked a little nervous talking in front of so many people, what he announced could turn out to be one of the biggest announcements for the video game industry this year.

Continue reading X06: Two new Halo projects announced (w/ Peter Jackson!)

X06: Two new Halo projects announced (w/ Peter Jackson!) originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Sep 2006 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh to make new Halo game, original IP

Ross Miller — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360, First Person Shooters

Microsoft has confirmed that the Academy Award-winning duo Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh (Lord of the Rings, King Kong) are set to create two "new interactive series" for Xbox 360 and XBLA. The first is a "collaborative effort with Bungie Studios to co-create the next great chapter in the Halo universe."

"It's not Halo 3," said Scott Henson, Director of the Game Development Group at Microsoft. "It's a brand new game based in the Halo IP. In a phone conversation with Joystiq, Henson disclosed that writing credits will be given to Jackson and Walsh. As for how the full-fledged game will fit within the continuity of the Halo universe among three installments, a real-time strategy game, and a film, Henson was tight-lipped. "It's going to remain a mystery," he said.

The second title will be an entirely new intellectual property -- "completely from scratch," Henson clarified -- created with the intention of "bringing new audiences into the captivating world of interactive entertainment." The game will be made in conjunction with Wingnut Interactive, a new studio created via a collaboration with Jackson/Walsh and Microsoft Games Studio.

"Fran is a really big gamer and really excited about telling stories through games," said Henson. "We haven't talked about any details and we will when we're ready." If the focus is mass appeal, then Jackson/Walsh -- who managed to make Hobbits cool -- are the best people to have at the helm.

Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh to make new Halo game, original IP originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Sep 2006 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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