Joystiq

Hit List Q&A: Frank O'Connor, 343 franchise development director

Joystiq Staff — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:21:00 EST

In the "Hit List" from the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, the video game industry's top talents describe their current gaming addictions, their most anticipated releases and more. This week: 343's Franchise Development Director Frank O'Connor.

Frank O'Connor has worked in and around the gaming industry for about twenty years, starting in the gaming press in the UK, where he edited and wrote for several magazines before making the move to the States. After several years working on games publications here, he took an opportunity to work at Bungie studios as a community manager, working on consumer relations, marketing efforts and game fiction.

When Bungie spun out of Microsoft during Halo Reach, he decided to stay with the Halo franchise and has been there since the inception of 343 Industries. He's lived through every single console and computer game transition, and he is just as excited about the impending one as he was when Pong gave way to the Atari 2600.

At Frank's forthcoming 2013 D.I.C.E. Summit session with Microsoft Game Studios/343 Industries' Executive Producer Kiki Wolfkill, Frank will co-present on "Changing the Universe - Three for Three." This session will explore the trials, tribulations, and opportunities in building and rebuilding a cultural phenomenon, expanding a beloved universe into live action and transmedia storytelling, all while creating a AAA-game studio from scratch.

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Hit List Q&A: Frank O'Connor, 343 franchise development director originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Halo franchise up to 50M sold worldwide, next entry in the works

Sinan Kubba — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 12:30:00 EST

In the last month or so the Halo franchise shot past the 50 million mark for games sold worldwide, the figure being 46 million going into the launch of Halo 4 by 343 Industries. Microsoft revealed the new milestone to us via a recent press release.

The new figure would suggest sales of around 4 million for Master Chief's latest adventure, but it's those pesky other Halo games that are complicating the issue. We do know the Xbox 360 shooter made $220 million on its first day at retail - not bad when you consider the multi-platform Black Ops 2 did $500 million in the same time, with more expensive special editions.

343's Development Director, Frank O'Connor, revealed this week that the next major Halo game was already in the works before Halo 4 launched. Speaking to CVG, O'Connor said, "I can't say more than that, but work on the game started actually before we launched Halo 4 and continues apace as we cycle staff through the team's vacation breaks. We're excited about the next game."

Halo franchise up to 50M sold worldwide, next entry in the works originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 07 Dec 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Halo 4's Spartan Ops content could span more than one season

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 21:00:00 EST

It looks like Halo 4's weekly, episodic cooperative mode, Spartan Ops, may go further than expected. Spartan Ops serves as a secondary campaign designed to compliment Halo 4's single-player campaign, and will be offered up via weekly episodes across a "season," similar to a television show. During our demonstration of Spartan Ops at E3, 343 Industries franchise development director Frank O'Connor referred to the episodes included with Halo 4 as the "first season" of Spartan Ops content. Does that mean there are more seasons in the works?

"Right now we're saying one season, but we're like a TV show, we have to see if people like our TV show." Basically, the possibility of future seasons would seem to hinge on whether people like Halo, so we'll just have to wait to see how that pans out.

Halo 4's Spartan Ops content could span more than one season originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary multiplayer maps are for Halo: Reach [update: maps playable on Anniversary disc]

David Hinkle — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 15:50:00 EST

A total of six multiplayer maps from Halo: Combat Evolved will be playable in Halo: Reach's online multiplayer along with a retooled campaign level for Firefight mode. Halo: CE Anniversary will not support Xbox Live multiplayer whatsoever (outside of co-op). These maps are for loading into Halo: Reach (think: ODST), according to comments made by 343 Industries' Frank O'Connor on Spike TV. He also said it will be a budget-priced game.

Hit the jump for the teaser trailer shown during Microsoft's E3 2011 press conference.

Update: O' Connor clarified with Joystiq that Anniversary's multiplayer component, while employing the Reach engine, will still be playable on the Anniversary disc itself. The game will also include a voucher to download the maps for play within Halo: Reach.

Gallery: Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary (E3 2011)

Continue reading Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary multiplayer maps are for Halo: Reach [update: maps playable on Anniversary disc]

Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary multiplayer maps are for Halo: Reach [update: maps playable on Anniversary disc] originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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343 Industries' Frank O'Connor on Halo's 10th anniversary, Grunt plushies

Richard Mitchell — Mon, 02 May 2011 20:00:00 EST

Speaking to Gamasutra, 343 Industries' Frank O'Connor explained just what the studio has in store for Halo now that previous developer Bungie has moved on to other things. While O'Connor noted that 343's main priority is "making sure that Reach is well-tended, and cultivated, and taken care of," there are certainly other projects in the pipeline.

Specifically, O'Connor mentioned the upcoming 10th anniversary of the release of the first Halo. O'Connor referred to the celebration as 343's "main high-level task" for the year adding that the studio will be "doing a lot of things to celebrate that, and there's going to be a lot of cool surprises in this year." Honestly, we'll try to act surprised.

The rest of the interview focuses on how 343 has chosen to expand the Halo universe, branching out into different areas like books and toys. O'Connor stated that everything Halo branded has satisfied a community demand. In other words, fans wanted books or action figures, and 343 capitulated. Perhaps the most surprising demand O'Connor's team is considering: Grunt plushies. While O'Connor admitted that such a product would undoubtedly sell, he defended it by saying, "it's the single most-demanded item that we haven't fulfilled in the franchise history."

Head over to Gamasutra for the full interview.

343 Industries' Frank O'Connor on Halo's 10th anniversary, Grunt plushies originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 May 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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O'Connor: Halo movie will happen 'when the time is right'

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 19:30:00 EST

During last week's MI6 conference, Bungie alum (now 343 Industries head) Frank O'Connor spoke candidly about the possibility of a Halo movie now that relations between Peter Jackson / Neill Blomkamp and Microsoft have fallen apart (as reported by IGN). "We're going to make a movie when the time is right," O'Connor told attendees of a session he was part of, titled "Extending Your Game Beyond the Package." He continued, frankly stating "We own the IP."

Being head of Microsoft's Halo product house (that includes everything from Master Chief plushies, to the development of games after Halo: Reach, to a possible film) though, O'Connor worries about the implications of a film on the franchise. "If we want to make a movie, the scale of all the other stuff that we do changes dramatically. We make tens of millions of dollars on ancillary stuff, toys, apparel, music and publishing. If we do a movie all of that will grow exponentially." So while that's not exactly confirmation of a movie adaptation for the Chief at some point in the future, the possibility of exponentially growing an already multi-million dollar business sounds like a pretty good excuse to us for doing one.

O'Connor: Halo movie will happen 'when the time is right' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Season finale of 1 vs. 100 this Friday has Jimmy Fallon, Bungie

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:15:00 EST

Microsoft already announced earlier this week that Halo luminaries Frank O'Connor and Marty O'Donnell would be stopping by for the season finale of 1 vs. 100, but now Major Nelson has revealed that Jimmy Fallon will be appearing as well. It's not too much of a stretch to see the Late Night host appearing on the game, as games have certainly been no stranger on his talk show (or its commercials). This season's final episode of 1 vs. 100 will begin on Xbox Live this Friday at 10:00pm ET/7:00 pm PT.

Season finale of 1 vs. 100 this Friday has Jimmy Fallon, Bungie originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Final episode of 'Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian' drops on Halo Waypoint tomorrow

David Hinkle — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:45:00 EST

Tomorrow, the final installment in Halo Waypoint's ongoing four-part motion comic, "Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian," will be available. The comic -- which is written by Frank O'Connor and animated by ONE -- centers around ODST Baird, last remaining human survivor on the UNSC ship Destroyer. Baird must stop the invading Covenant forces before they discover the location of Earth and all of its Burger Kings.

What? You didn't know the Covenant loves their chicken parmesan sandwiches?

Final episode of 'Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian' drops on Halo Waypoint tomorrow originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Halo motion comic 'Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian' coming to Waypoint

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:45:00 EST

A notice on Halo Waypoint has announced that a four part motion comic series will be debuting on the service starting this Saturday, January 16. The motion comic, entitled "Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian," is based on the short story of the same name written by 343 Industries' own Frank O'Connor for the recently released Halo Evolutions story collection. A new episode will air every Saturday from January 16 through February 6. Check out the preview, handily embedded above.

[Via IncGamers]

Halo motion comic 'Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian' coming to Waypoint originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Interview: 343 Industries' Frank O'Connor

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST

Now that Halo Waypoint has launched and the Halo Legends anime project will soon begin airing on Xbox consoles everywhere, we got the chance to discuss the current state of Halo with 343 Industries creative director, Frank O'Connor. After the break, you'll find discussion on Waypoint, Legends, Halo 3: ODST sales and whereabouts of Ryan Payton. We also talk about the whether or not there's just too much Halo out there, whether we'll see any Halo games for kids and we even squeeze in a question about Pimps at Sea.

Continue reading Interview: 343 Industries' Frank O'Connor

Interview: 343 Industries' Frank O'Connor originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Comic-Con 2009: Microsoft's Frankie talks Halo Waypoint

Kevin Kelly — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:30:00 EST

Pictured: enthusiasts living the Halo lifestyle

And by "talks," we mean "briefly mentions." Yesterday during the Halo Comic-Con panel, which was almost entirely focused on the upcoming anime series, Halo Legends, consummate Halo shepherd Frank O'Connor spoke about Waypoint and what it means. "Halo Waypoint is something you can experience on your couch, then early next year, on DVD and digital formats. It will be the digital hub for all things Halo, [to] look at your Halo career, and enjoy your Halo lifestyle."

Halo lifestyle? What does that even mean? An Xbox Live version of Home, where you're outfitting your own Master Chief's digital den with photos and Covenant couches? We'll have to wait and see.

Comic-Con 2009: Microsoft's Frankie talks Halo Waypoint originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Shock! O'Connor hints at more Master Chief

Xav de Matos — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 01:00:00 EST

In the wake of releasing Halo Wars, Microsoft's Frank O'Connor has shocked (no one in) the world by saying gamers probably haven't seen the last of Master Chief. Speaking with Game Hunters at USA Today, O'Connor discussed such upcoming releases as Halo 3: ODST, calling it a "detective story" of sorts, as well as the two new comic mini-series announced at the New York Comic Con.

Halo: Hell Jumpers, which focuses on the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers, and Spartan Black, about a team of Spartan soldiers, are expected sometime this year. Halo: Uprising (pictured above) will see a fourth -- and final -- issue on March 18. As for the continued adventures of Master Chief, O'Connor says he doubts "we have seen the last" of Microsoft's armor-clad hero. What could be next? Halo vs. Barbie: Horse Adventuring Evolved. Believe.

Shock! O'Connor hints at more Master Chief originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 04 Mar 2009 01:00:00 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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Microsoft's Frank O'Connor hints at 'HaloCon', comments on 'Bungiegate'

Griffin McElroy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, First Person Shooters

Following the "Halo Universe" panel at the San Diego Comic Con 08, Eurogamer had a chance to speak with former Bungie content manager Frank O'Connor, who now works with Microsoft to manage the Halo franchise. During the interview, O'Connor stated that a "HaloCon" (that's Halo Convention, for the contextually impaired) is a definite possibility, adding, "Bungie has done fanfests at E3 and it would be lovely to see something bigger, something more ambitious in the future." In addition, we figure a Halo-based expo would also prove an appropriate time to follow through on certain... engagements.

Eurogamer did not let Bungie's seized E3 announcement go unmentioned, and O'Connor responded with an uncrushed spirit, explaining that "someone, somewhere decided strategically that another time is better, and it will be, and there's going to be an announcement and it's going to be awesome." This could mean that they actually know when they'll be following through on their promised E3 megaton, and (if you can wrap your mind around this) -- that they've yet to announce when they're going to announce what they're going to announce.

Microsoft's Frank O'Connor hints at 'HaloCon', comments on 'Bungiegate' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 26 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2008 Yearbook: Microsoft Game Studios

Xav de Matos — Fri, 23 May 2008 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fan stuff

After a solid year for the Xbox 360 in 2007 many thought the system could never showcase the same amount of quality exclusives in a single year.

In the 2008 Microsoft Game Studios Yearbook, we've compiled a list of this year's graduating class with a detailed account of each title's current status and the stories surrounding them.

From heartbreaking cancellations, surprise feature announcements and expected sequels, the 2008 MGS Yearbook is filled with fun facts and information on your soon-to-be favorite titles. Also included in the yearbook are special joke awards given to each title that releases in 2008 that poke fun at the details most commonly argued about in the comments.

From Ninja Gaiden II to Alan Wake, the 2008 Microsoft Game Studios Yearbook will have something for everyone.

Ladies and gentlemen allow us to introduce the 2008 Microsoft Game Studios graduating class ...

2008 Yearbook: Microsoft Game Studios originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 May 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frank O'Connor leaves Bungie for more Halos

Xav de Matos — Fri, 16 May 2008 23:30:00 EST

Filed under: News

For Bungie fans one name has been synonymous with a Halo branded encyclopedia of knowledge and human complaint cushion. Frank O'Connor, content manager at Bungie Studios, has announced he is leaving his position and heading to Microsoft in order to work more closely on the Halo franchise.

In his final weekly update, Frankie thanks fans for their continued support and for not following up on various death threats made throughout the years. We'd like to believe that's a joke, but we're sure it isn't.

Frankie left fans with something they've grown to expect from Bungie's public face, a tease for the future. "I was busy working on a story for one of our next games, an experience that is destined to surprise, amaze and entertain like nothing we've ever made before." We know every Bungie fan is holding their breath for the next morsel of info that drops and can't wait to see what Bungie has in store for the future.

Take care Frankie, and don't be a stranger.

[via Joystiq]

Frank O'Connor leaves Bungie for more Halos originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 May 2008 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frank O'Connor leaves Bungie for Microsoft to work on Halo franchise

Ross Miller — Fri, 16 May 2008 21:42:00 EST

Filed under: Microsoft Xbox 360

The long-standing "voice" of Bungie, Content Manager Frank O'Connor, is leaving the Halo studio in order to "work more closely with Microsoft on the Halo franchise." In his final Weekly Update, O'Connor sends a heartwarming thanks to the community for a number of things, among them for "not following through on the death threats" (his emphasis, not ours).

The most interesting part of his goodbye later is the tease on the "coming years." Said O'Connor, "I was busy working on a story for one of our next games, an experience that is destined to surprise, amaze and entertain like nothing we've ever made before. That game has an amazing team invested in it, and one that will be tasked with building the Next Big Thing. You should see what they've already achieved, you truly should." We'll be watching with eager eyes. Take care, Frank, you'll be missed.

(Oh, and be sure to check out all the fun Frank O'Connor Photoshops.)

Frank O'Connor leaves Bungie for Microsoft to work on Halo franchise originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 May 2008 21:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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