Bungie left Microsoft about 18 months ago, and what’s the first game it develops? Yup, a Halo game, Halo: ODST, to be exact. I just read a quick little piece over on the Seattle Times’ site that may be worth the effort, especial to those of you who are trying to figure out whether or not the game is for you.
Now, I haven’t been following the game’s development as closely as others, so forgive me if the following highlights aren’t exactly new.
• It’s a more open world, à la GTA. That is, the game isn’t entirely an FPS with clearly defined borders.
• Bungie is actually paying attention to the game’s dialogue. Hopefully there’s less gruff, “we’re soldiers, let’s blow stuff up!” nonsense.
• This new mode called Firefight is designed to give people who are short on free time. (The average age of video game players is 35, says the ESA, which I patently don’t believe, but whatever. That is, unless the ESA is also counting things like Brick Breaker on the BlackBerry as a game.) I guess it’s very pick-up-and-play-y.
• Bungie is investigating the possibility of making Halo: Reach work with Project Natal.
• Bungie idolizes Pixar
The game is due this September.
I probably account for the slant in the average age of video gamers being on the high side of that curve at 47.
I dig console gaming, when I can find time outside of the everyday craziness of work, kids and other time consuming stuff.
And, yes I get out and exercise, read a book and enjoy life. Ah, but occasionally, a cold one and some multi player Halo is a great fix for a long day.
I think maybe he means the average age of the HALO player, since he talked about how long the lifetime of the Halo series has been.
I’m working on behalf of Microsoft to promote the Imagine Cup, a student tech competition that works to promote the use of technology to help improve the world. We’re looking for gamers, designers, programmers, developers, engineers, photographers, film makers…anyone with a keen mind and the insight to push technology to help their fellow man. Want to know more about Imagine Cup? Visit http://www.imaginecup.us for more information.
Along with this, we’ve got some awesome things to giveaway from Microsoft.
We’ve got a bunch of copies of Halo ODST to give away starting this coming Friday. If you’re interested in a chance to win, follow us on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/imaginecupus)
Past that, we’ve got a $10,000 prize to give away (as well as trips to Washington, D.C. and Poland for the 2010 Imagine Cup) just for registering. You don’t even have to compete in the Imagine Cup! To register for a chance to win Halo ODST, $10,000, or the trips visit http://tr.im/zmQD (Imagine Cup site).
Thanks and good luck! Hope to see some of you in Poland next year.
-Greg