343 Studios will get complete control of the Halo IP by April as Bungie is set to pursue other projects.
One of the most iconic characters in the gaming world, and to some extent popular culture as well, is Master Chief from the Halo universe. The game was originally released on PCs and was an instant hit, growing a huge fan base in a relatively short amount
of time.
The sequel would go on to break sales records in the industry, though fans did not enjoy the ending of the game too much as it left the narrative in a bit of a cliff hanger situation.
That did not quell the game from setting another sales record with its third instalment, as Halo 3 set the benchmark that other games would follow.
Halo ODST and Halo Reach followed, each taking the franchise from strength to strength. Yet, before Bungie wrapped up the series with Master Chief going into a cryogenic sleep, to be awoken when the universe needed him next.
It turns out that Microsoft needed him rather soon, as they bought the IP from Bungie and brought the franchise that the studio had declared completed back to life.
Microsoft teased a trailer for the next Halo trilogy at last year’s E3 and confirmed that the series would be making its way back with three new games to expand the already rich Halo universe.
There was a catch though and that was the fact that 343 Industries and not Bungie would be behind the helm of the project and it seems that the last bit of control Bungie had over the Halo IP is set to be handed over on the 31st of March.
The Bungie official blog read, “Last summer, Bungie and 343 Industries began a transition process for Halo data. On March 31st, 2012 that transition process will be complete, all live Halo data will be managed by 343 Industries, and Bungie will
no longer be able to update game stats and player service records, to host new user generated content, or to operate the Bungie Pro service.”
It ended with what could and will be interpreted as an official goodbye to the series, “Thanks for making the Halo-era version of Bungie.net more successful than we could have possibly imagined. You complete us. See you starside.”
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