Microsoft teases Master Chief's return to Halo

Hours after Bungie touted Halo 3's 1 billionth online game, Microsoft sat down with USA Today to discuss the game's first expansion, Halo 3: ODST. The stand-alone game will complement the original by depicting events between Halo 2, released for the original Xbox in 2004, and Halo 3, which hit the...

Hours after Bungie touted Halo 3's 1 billionth online game, Microsoft sat down with USA Today to discuss the game's first expansion, Halo 3: ODST. The stand-alone game will complement the original by depicting events between Halo 2, released for the original Xbox in 2004, and Halo 3, which hit the Xbox 360 in 2007.

However, rather than be seen through the visor of series hero Master Chief, Halo 3: ODST will be seen from the perspective of several Orbital Drop Shock Troopers. As shown in various trailers, the game will begin with a squad of the elite troopers dropped behind enemy lines in New Mombasa, which is occupied by the multispecies fanatical armies of the Covenant.

"[Halo 3: ODST] is significantly more than an add-on," Halo franchise development director--and former Bungie employee--Frank O'Connor told the nationwide newspaper. "It's a lot of game. You play the game through the point of view of an ODST. They are dropped into combat from orbit. They have a rivalry with the Spartans that is well known to the fans of the fiction. We finally let you into their boots as it were. ... It's kind of a detective story in a way. But it is much more action-packed than that."

But will the Master Chief make an appearance in Halo 3: ODST? O'Connor was coy about the possibility, saying only, "I doubt we have seen the last of Master Chief." The comment could also potentially be a teaser for Halo 4, since the final Halo 3 cinematic--if played on legendary difficulty--shows the Master Chief and the Arbiter as having survived the explosion of the starship Forward Unto Dawn.

257 Comments

  • Wolfie600

    Posted Apr 15, 2009 10:30 pm PT

    Superman is a fail ps3 fan boy. Seriously if you dont like the damn game go play your movie Metal gear solid 4 or killzone 2 (which is actually good) and let Xbox 360 owners get another awesome game with Halo and Master chief on it but obviously as long as Bungie makes it

  • penpusher

    Posted Apr 15, 2009 1:33 pm PT

    lets see we have teaser ending of master cheiif surviving, we have multi million dollar series,,,we have microsoft at th helm ,,, microsoft,,,,,that sez it all

  • DaveA6489

    Posted Apr 15, 2009 3:16 am PT

    The ending shows the cheif surviving too... you just have to sit through the credits. The Legendary ending shows the half of the ship that the chief was on drifting towards what many people speculate to be a forerunner planet.

    Oh, and don't complain if I've just spoiled the ending for you. Because if you've not completed Halo 3 on Legendary by now, then you probably never will

  • EphraimShay

    Posted Apr 14, 2009 8:00 am PT

    The Arbiter and Master Chief are shown to have survived on ALL difficulties. You just have to have the patience to wait for the cinematic.

  • cocomacoco

    Posted Apr 13, 2009 7:26 pm PT

    I hope they make a good Halo game every next gen, i will not get tired of even playing Master chief, there's plenty of things to do on the Halo Universe, and so on.

  • jameeler91

    Posted Apr 13, 2009 2:32 pm PT

    Yea uhh PaulDixon77 I'm pretty sure it only shows the arbiter as being alive when you don't complete it on legendary. Even when you do beat it on legendary, the marines still think he's dead, you just know he's not.

  • fluffynator03

    Posted Apr 13, 2009 1:59 pm PT

    I am looking forward for this. This is going to be cool a must have.

  • crix3

    Posted Apr 13, 2009 1:49 pm PT

    Stopping making halo games is like them stopping making millions of millions of dollars, and why in the hell would they ever do that? There are going to be more halo games, no doubt.

  • PaulDixon77

    Posted Apr 13, 2009 1:29 pm PT

    "since the final Halo 3 cinematic--if played on legendary difficulty--shows the Master Chief and the Arbiter as having survived the explosion of the starship Forward Unto Dawn". Please it shows them surviving no matter what difficulty you play on but on legendary it shows an extra clip with the chief, I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen the legendary ending or haven't completed it yet. We will just say that it leaves it wide open for halo 4.
    So please put it into the proper context. Ta

  • moorefeus

    Posted Mar 29, 2009 6:15 pm PT

    Halo 4: Guns of the Covenant. UNSC nothin yet.

  • alexio619

    Posted Mar 15, 2009 2:02 pm PT

    there would be no point in the legendary ending if it didn't teaser halo 4. Yeah the trilogy is over, but halo wars and halo:ODST are still called halo. The next with mastercheif will probably be "Haloinsert epic title here) part one"

  • Emeraldmaster25

    Posted Mar 14, 2009 5:46 pm PT

    people are wrong... they assume that halo was going to be over after 3 but no the added the knock-of' s wars+odst they will do what they did with saw(movies) make more and more that over lap if you ask me it ended after saw 3.. back to halo though. if the stopped halo it would be like if they stopped COD or RE they make more money when they drag things out they will be the waking of the master chief but it could take awhile because there needs to be a major redesigning of the story. Long Live The Chief!!

  • mattcarlo

    Posted Mar 12, 2009 2:49 am PT

    Halo 3: ODST better be good because I am going to purchase it, and if they should make Halo 4, I will most likely purchase it as well.

  • riverron

    Posted Mar 12, 2009 12:18 am PT

    they either dont know what there talking bout ( prolly not cause its gamespot bet game website on the web) or they just didnt explain it well enough, but if you beat it on legendary and wait till after the credits it shows master chiefs shiping getting sucked into an unknown planet and thats it so itll prolly consist of all new alien life forms and john (master chief) and cortona "lost in space" trying to survive and get back with no help or support from anything human or covenant

  • loky_diantro

    Posted Mar 11, 2009 8:45 am PT

    SUPERMANMEGA: If you don't like Halo, then don't play Halo. Get Killzone 2, CoD, or the game of your choice. OK some games are considered "over rated" as you say because of the word "Halo" in the title (Like Halo Wars), It's called franchise, just as CoD, Final Fantasy, DoA, Resident Evil, etc. Get over It

  • burnteyeball

    Posted Mar 9, 2009 7:51 pm PT

    Is it me or does Cortana have better animation than everyone els? Even then some of halo 2's animation looked better than 3s.

  • supermanmega

    Posted Mar 9, 2009 7:37 pm PT

    i really dont care about the new halo now because theres so many better fps games out there that beat halo.....but i know this game will be over rated just because its HALO lmao but i still hope its good....and has better online then halo 3 because it sucked......not that ill be buying it for 60$ =D

  • lime_93

    Posted Mar 9, 2009 3:45 pm PT

    HALO 4 FTW!!!!

  • Xeythe

    Posted Mar 8, 2009 7:26 pm PT

    HALO 4!!!!!

  • Niffirg6

    Posted Mar 8, 2009 5:56 pm PT

    PLEASE MAKE HALO 4 PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!

  • thingta42

    Posted Mar 8, 2009 2:13 pm PT

    Yeh

  • wakanerdoo

    Posted Mar 7, 2009 6:56 pm PT

    OMFG I need Halo 4!!!! That would be sooooooo sweet!!!!111!!1one!!1

  • lol384

    Posted Mar 6, 2009 6:03 pm PT

    does anyone think Halo Wars is ruining the series...well i think it is because i didnt find it good! just isnt the same

  • ninjasRmammals2

    Posted Mar 6, 2009 10:42 am PT

    @blackie8
    Same here, I think I even got that ending on easy...

  • Cabal23

    Posted Mar 6, 2009 10:34 am PT

    Meh..master who? Time for a new hero.

  • funnysplay

    Posted Mar 6, 2009 9:56 am PT

    I was disapointed with the halo wars game.
    But i like all the other halo FPS games. So im getting this.

  • godzillavskong

    Posted Mar 5, 2009 8:11 pm PT

    I loved the entire Halo series. I actually liked it more for the campaign, the online was just a extra for me. You do find a lot of young kids playing it, but with a game that sold that many copies, its bound to happen. I just mute them and continue on. I also agree with a lot of posts up here, about Microsoft not giving up on its Halo franchise. It's just too big of a money maker to abandon. I will definitely buy the next Halo game, and the one after that, etc.. I didn't really get into the Halo Wars though, played the demo. but wasn't impressed.

  • xXWeeZyXx420

    Posted Mar 5, 2009 5:03 pm PT

    Halo 4? WHAT?

  • 008Zulu

    Posted Mar 5, 2009 2:31 pm PT

    I first played Halo 3 on the default difficult setting, and I got that cinematic after playing it through.

  • aura_enchanted

    Posted Mar 5, 2009 6:07 am PT

    seriously thought this will (I GUAANTEE YOU) go next to diablo 3 for most soap opera inspired character return (with diablo being the return in D3), id also like to note that resident evil is subject to review in this category specifically for wesker. im not out to bash MC or his thugnificent games, but seriously its sooo unecissary. there going to drop the 4th game just like the fourth myth

  • hektek2003

    Posted Mar 5, 2009 12:10 am PT

    to stfolife,

    im sorry. but jsut becuz halo has some ppl online who do make stupid comments, or 10 year olds screaming at you, duznt have any effect on the game. Halo is brilliant becuz of its playability, its free form no-clunkiness style of multiplayer. and maybe so its story. but personally, i could care less about the story. it has the best console mulitplayer of any platformer around, and you cant argue with that. You can hate on the fan base, but you cant hate on the game. The Stats Speak for Themselves.

  • stfolife

    Posted Mar 4, 2009 7:41 pm PT

    "Heh, I got super downrated for saying brainless fratboys make up 90% of Halo's fanbase, probably by brainless fratboys. Anyone ever listen to the mics on XBL on the game? It's either 10 year olds or some dude going: "Dude I like totally fragged him the skull man you hear me cha man duuuuuude!"

    Halo's community is terrible and I fear another game with the worst main character ever (The personality-lacking, voice-lacking man who doesn't even show his face.) will just spew another generation of FPS baddies.

    We need more games like Left 4 Dead with characters who actually have personalities and less 10 year olds playing."

    I completley agree. "Bring on Halo 4!
    They get more money and we get another epic Halo campaign and updated multiplayer. It's such a huge universe and back-story, they could make another whole trilogy without it going stale."

    So does star wars but would you want another film trilogy?

  • TurambarGS

    Posted Mar 4, 2009 7:03 pm PT

    Sigh. Queue a myriad of average spin offs in every genre now that Bungie is out of the Halo picture. I know that's probably being too cynical but can you really blame me these days?

  • blackie8

    Posted Mar 4, 2009 6:27 pm PT

    played on normal got that ending

  • Gordfacekiller

    Posted Mar 4, 2009 5:37 pm PT

    Halo needs to be focused more on adult gamers then I might buy it

  • THE-TRAP-CARD

    Posted Mar 4, 2009 5:05 pm PT

    Master Chief is coming back for sure. Otherwise they wouldn't have put in the Legendary ending. Also, Micosfot will never let go of their best selling IP,i mean after all, Halo is still the best selling entertainment property ever.

  • SWATMAN4

    Posted Mar 4, 2009 4:32 pm PT

    @KingKevo71789

    If you see the ODST trailer, it cleary depicts the action of Regret jumping in the city to Delta Halo (Installation 05). I'm not saying your wrong but I doubt he'll make an appearance. There is more than just one SPARTAN-II, there's Kelly, William, and a whole mess of them. A mess as in 6 or 7, probably 8. @ all other idiots
    HALO is a good game. I personally play for the story. The reason for 10-year olds to be on is because it's a M-rated game that has progressively dropped the level of blood content from HALO to HALO 3. There is a clear difference. Parents are told that and say "Hey that's not bad for my overweight 10-yearold." The reason for frat boys to play it is because they need an excuse to be with the generation that loves HALO. FYI, HALO was originally supposed to be an RTS. HALO WARS was a good addition to the series. It depicts the early years of the attacks. Yes, the gameplay could be a little better but how can you play an RTS on a console without simplified controls?! Huh!? I know you can't give me a reason. It's either simplified controls (HALO WARS) or voice-communications (EndWar). Fine, you know what if you don't think HALo is good, then why the **** are you on here!? You ask what makes HALO good? I ask what makes Final Fanatsy, Gears of War, Fallout 3, Left 4 Dead, StreetFighter, World of Warcraft, and a bunch of other games good!!?? Can you give me a reason other than HALO sucks because you can't give me a damn answer!? It's *** holes like you that take the fun of games like HALO.

    @Rontor
    How is HALO like Star Wars?
    Other than space and aliens.

    @raziken
    ODST is gonna have that more realistic and dark feel you're looking for.
    No shields just a steel plate protecting you from superheated plasma and exploding needles.

    @KoruKinshi
    Finally someone who thinks it's Onyx as well. It looks exactly like a metal sphere like in the book.

    In my final note, I'm not balsting any games that other people like. I'm trying to make a point that any sensible person can understand.

  • Rontor posted Mar 4, 2009 3:59 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Rontor

    Posted Mar 4, 2009 3:59 pm PT (hide)

    No Thanks.

    IMO we dont need any more generic Star Wars knock offs.

  • razlken

    Posted Mar 4, 2009 3:30 pm PT

    What halo needs is a more realistic and dark feel, I'm not saying it's bad but its kid friendly look sometimes is annoying like hell.... i mean come on after all it's still war O.o

  • StreetRacer91

    Posted Mar 4, 2009 2:59 pm PT

    You know that the Master Chief survives whether or not it's on Legendary. The only extra part is the part with the big blue planet. You just have to wait after the credits under any difficulty.

  • ChaosStar posted Mar 4, 2009 2:33 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    ChaosStar

    Posted Mar 4, 2009 2:33 pm PT (hide)

    Heh, I got super downrated for saying brainless fratboys make up 90% of Halo's fanbase, probably by brainless fratboys. Anyone ever listen to the mics on XBL on the game? It's either 10 year olds or some dude going: "Dude I like totally fragged him the skull man you hear me cha man duuuuuude!"

    Halo's community is terrible and I fear another game with the worst main character ever (The personality-lacking, voice-lacking man who doesn't even show his face.) will just spew another generation of FPS baddies.

    We need more games like Left 4 Dead with characters who actually have personalities and less 10 year olds playing.

  • Petri87

    Posted Mar 4, 2009 2:12 pm PT

    @microwaveman - Bungie didn't loose the Halo franchise. they gave it to MS that practically owned it already. Also you say less then half of the Bungie staff is working on ODST,its true but just to clerify its somewhere closer to 1/3 or even less then that. Bungie has also said that they are working on several other unannounced projects so itd probebly expect somehting new from Bungie at E3.Also MS have said that they will still be working in some way whit Bungie on future Halo titles. Bungie will most likely be sought out for feedback on the Halo franchise. Also ODST is a Microsoft game developed by Bungie so MS has the last word period, like when they postponed the announcement of the game Bungie didn't have any say in the mather, everything Halo is controlled by MS, even ODST. Although the way MS works they most likely let Bungie do their thing whit ODST.

  • microwaveman

    Posted Mar 4, 2009 1:30 pm PT

    you all know that Microsoft owns halo now? Bungie lost the rights to it when they split off, so they're really not calling any shots after ODST. I'd expect there are more traditional halo games to come, probably from the yet unannounced Microsoft studio comprised of two of Bungie's halo leads, the selected wreckage of Ensemble studios, the co directer of MGS:4, and whatever talent that Microsoft's wallets can put together. Everyone needs to understand that while Bungie hasn't announced anything other than ODST, less than half of their staff is working on the ODST project and that any unannounced projects they are working will likely not be halo related.

  • aura_enchanted

    Posted Mar 4, 2009 12:51 pm PT

    in other news bungie decides to start work on an unamed soap opera for PPV TV XD

  • vistasmoker707

    Posted Mar 4, 2009 12:42 pm PT

    Sorry, gentlemen, but the saga known as Halo is over. The next legacy of the Spartan 117 will be known as Marathon. (Hopefully)

  • icarl001

    Posted Mar 4, 2009 12:23 pm PT

    Bungie should leave Halo series as it is, Halo Wars is average good, Halo 3 ODST seems to be a great game, but Master Chief is over and so he should remain, it sounds like bringing Elvis back to life just because every body wants to, he sells enough merchandise being dead.

  • gamermanps2

    Posted Mar 4, 2009 11:49 am PT

    Bring on Halo 4!
    They get more money and we get another epic Halo campaign and updated multiplayer. It's such a huge universe and back-story, they could make another whole trilogy without it going stale.

  • dominic92 posted Mar 4, 2009 11:38 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    dominic92

    Posted Mar 4, 2009 11:38 am PT (hide)

    what would be good would be if master chief played as some kind of mercenary. get cash, upgrade weapons. like fallout, but more of a space theme.

  • Mr_arizona

    Posted Mar 4, 2009 11:37 am PT

    Halo = money
    If they stop making halo then no more money.
    A brand name is everything and halo is a brand name.
    Look at sonic the games are horrible but people still buy them cause sonic is on the cover.
    We could see "Halo: the wonders of paint drying" and people would still buy it.

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