Halo 3 not called "Halo 3"?

  • By TimSpot, GameSpot
  • Posted Mar 16, 2006 3:22 pm PT

Source: A posting on the Xbox.com forums post citing an article in an upcoming issue of Game Informer. The official story: "Microsoft does not comment on rumors or speculation."--Microsoft rep. What we heard: Even with all eyes squarely on it, Halo 3 has largely been one of the industry's best-kept...

Source: A posting on the Xbox.com forums post citing an article in an upcoming issue of Game Informer.

The official story: "Microsoft does not comment on rumors or speculation."--Microsoft rep.

What we heard: Even with all eyes squarely on it, Halo 3 has largely been one of the industry's best-kept secrets. The game's developer, Bungie Studios, hasn't even owned up to a game called "Halo 3" being in development. However, according to one post on the Xbox.com forums, Bungie's claims may merely be a question of semantics.

Forum crawler "DM Duo Maxwell" has transcribed what is claimed to be an article from a future issue of Game Informer. Apparently, someone who has access to Bungie's inner sanctum has seen the developer's next project in action. The bad news for Halo fans is it isn't Halo 3.

Now that you're sitting down and have hopefully recovered from shock, here's the good news: It is indeed a Halo game. The "well connected" source claims the project is called "Forerunner," which Halo fans know is the mysterious ancient civilization that constructed the titular ringworld/WMD. If the game indeed is named Forerunner, then Bungie technically isn't lying when it says it isn't working on Halo 3. Plus, code names are de rigueur for almost every major project, gaming or otherwise. Microsoft itself showed that recently with the Xbox 360, which was referred to only as "Xenon" in all internal documents until just before it was unveiled last spring.

The article in question goes on to talk about the rumored game's details. There is no mention of any release date, so don't ask. Forerunner will reportedly run on a modified Halo 2 engine and is going to be "big" in both scale and ambition. There will be large, persistent worlds, which will be affected dynamically by in-game events. The article gives the example of an enemy weapon depot that needs to be taken over and raided. Should players be successful in the objective, they'll have more access to weapons and munitions. Should they fail that task, the Covenant will come to future battles fully strapped.

Cooperative play will be included for--drumroll please--up to four players. Other multiplayer portions of the game weren't detailed. As the title implies, the game's single-player story will focus heavily on the origin of the Forerunners, and how humans and Master Chief are linked to them.

One thing we do know is that Bungie is currently working on a top-secret project. We also know that the game is "surprisingly playable"--Bungie has admitted that. Could this project be anything but a Halo-related project? Likely not.

The PlayStation 3 is coming this year (provided Sony doesn't revise the console's release date a second time), meaning that Microsoft would be wise to deliver a huge property in order to blunt the PS3's launch. While many speculate that the much-anticipated Gears of War is up to the task, it wouldn't pack the same counterpunch that a new Halo game would--especially in conjunction with an Xbox 360 price drop.

Taking a step back and reviewing all the details of the post, one can easily dismiss the whole thing as a hoax and the product of an overimaginative Halo fan. Claiming the game is being code-named "Forerunner" as a way around Bungie's denials of working on Halo 3 doesn't take the intellect of some crafty spin doctor.

The problem with outright claiming it as bogus is that there aren't glaring holes in the story. The details, as thin as they are, are very plausible and fall in line with Bungie's knack for innovation and surprise (remember the Arbiter?) and Halo 2's notoriously abrupt ending--which featured a Forerunner ship eluding the Master Chief by warping into hyperspace.

However, taking the news under the Rumor Control microscope, there are a few reasons the article wouldn't be true. Next month is April, the month that all game journalists love to pull the public's leg. Though the article specifically claims that it isn't a joke, it could be luring gullible gamers into a false sense of security.

Also, would Bungie risk redubbing such a familiar brand? Next to Grand Theft Auto and Mario, Halo is easily one of the most familiar names in gaming. Branding is one of the staples of marketing and as a rule should never be broken. On the other hand, it could merely be a code name that could be changed to Halo 3, Halo 3: Forerunner, Halo: Forerunner, or even Peter Jackson's Halo: Forerunner, the Official Game of the Movie (let's hope not) when the game is officially announced. For now, only time will tell if Master Chief and company are going Forerunning.

Bogus or not bogus?: It's really too hard to say at this point. The only thing we do know is that we'll ask our questions more specifically next time.

517 Comments

  • alexgb911

    Posted Jul 6, 2008 1:01 pm PT

    Halo 3!! Halo 3!! Halo 3!!
    lol

  • Brain-Dead360

    Posted Jun 22, 2007 2:24 pm PT

    To anyone who thinks that the game will not be called Halo 3, go O.D. on some baby asprin. Point is Halo is not only a franchise, but also an extremely huge licensed name that people are familiar with. If anyhing, Forerunner will be the games secondary name. Like Halo: Combat Evolved, you'll have Halo 3: Forerunner. Will the franchise eventually recieve a name change? Yes, but not this go around. Chances are they'll swap the name out for the next game that is within the Halo universe.

  • Reyveign

    Posted Jul 5, 2006 1:16 am PT

    The only thing a rumor like this does for me is manage to seriously P me off. I didn't like Halo 2 very much (Mainly for its lack of offline longevity, say what you like, this is my opinion) and a "Halo 3" trying to do something else is even more disheartening for me. My memories of Halo 1 are a hella lot stronger than any Halo 2 managed to put in.

  • akuma6

    Posted May 20, 2006 11:18 am PT

    that sucks

  • akuma6

    Posted May 20, 2006 11:17 am PT

    that sucks!!

  • 6me1

    Posted May 9, 2006 5:07 pm PT

    Personnally i think that they should keep the name HALO but it doesnt matter when it takes place or watever, cuz im goin to get an x-box 360 anyway.

  • TJ_001

    Posted May 7, 2006 12:20 pm PT

    haha. what would be sweet is that if u could choose others like jackales or other military people instead of just master cheif and the arbitor

  • TJ_001

    Posted May 6, 2006 1:11 pm PT

    what would be nice is that there would be two stories that u can decide which one to play instead of mixing it in together like halo 2 and causing confusion. of course using swords will be continuing in halo 3 ( it better)

  • baggiejunior

    Posted May 6, 2006 6:08 am PT

    possibly true

  • TJ_001

    Posted May 5, 2006 7:16 pm PT

    psx?

  • Ajay2020

    Posted May 5, 2006 1:25 pm PT

    a forerunner game not bad its like a lucas film where the last 3 where made an now the begining starts thats pretty kool i hope you can still use swords an stuff i wonder if theres any new rides on there an is the rumor true for a PSX? later-Ajay

  • TJ_001

    Posted May 5, 2006 1:09 pm PT

    but it makes sense to name it halo forerunner. its the "mystical/ ancient" weapon and no one knows what it does. And, if u remember in halo 2, the ending where they get the index and shut down the ring before complete destruction, the orbital was saying that they need to go to a place to shut down all the rings. so they obviously are looking for some type of super weapon before something happens.

    and the battlefeild thing in halo sounds wild. that would be great. but they probably wont do that.

  • psycomantis_32

    Posted May 4, 2006 9:42 pm PT

    If it's not Halo3, I'll bet it's going to be a Battlefield type game set in the Halo universe. Makes sense for a system as on-line centric as the 360. Massive battles, co-op play, all out war........sounds good to me!!!

    Let's hope they talk about SOMETHING besides Halo 2 coming to Windows Vista.

  • cgenerals

    Posted May 4, 2006 3:58 pm PT

    Peter Jackons: Halo Forerunner ROFL good title

  • MACH1N3g0d

    Posted May 4, 2006 3:07 pm PT

    It's not likely that any of this is true, knowing the source, but it's certainly possible. 4-player co-op is certainly not unheard of, and it would be a huge draw to the game. Everybody plays multiplayer versus, so why not co-op? If the worlds are as large as you'd hope, then 4-player co-op would be fine...especially if you had masses of enemies.

    Also, if anybody's read HALO: Fall of Reach it would make a lot of sense to be codenamed forerunner, perhaps in reference to being a prequel game. Not likely, perhaps, but possible.

  • TJ_001

    Posted May 4, 2006 2:14 pm PT

    haha, so i found out something. the roumors are TRUE. there will be a halo: forerunner and that is the real name of it. but its suppossed to come out march 1st, 2007!!! thats long

  • TJ_001

    Posted May 4, 2006 10:52 am PT

    true enough, it should be called halo 3 since halo 2 was called halo 2. and it is continuing off of halo 2.

    but lets say this is true, would it just come out for xbox 360?

  • centralhardball

    Posted May 4, 2006 10:01 am PT

    I can actually admit that this is true, there is a game in progress at Bungie. However it is not halo, they are calling it forerunner. I am an intern with Bungie and I am currently attending the art institute in san francisco. They have been working on a new FPS and it is running off a halo2 engine mod.
    It is going to be Halo3. I'm not sure if that will be the name, but it will be the next FPS from bungie and it will be a 360 and pc workign title hopefully this summer sometime. I have tried it and it looks amazing with the 360 graphics.
    Can't wait til i am working on these bad boys myself.

  • Realyankee101

    Posted May 3, 2006 4:06 pm PT

    Seriously...Dont ya think that The name "forerunner" is sortof gay.

  • bagame

    Posted May 2, 2006 3:02 pm PT

    Is it only coming on Xbox 360? i can't wait either

  • falconrye

    Posted May 2, 2006 2:03 pm PT

    I can't wait either

  • HaloMasters

    Posted May 1, 2006 8:18 am PT

    I CANT FREAKING WAIT NO MORE!!! AAAAAAAARGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!

  • SgtMMMbop_basic

    Posted Apr 29, 2006 4:24 pm PT

    I wish some of you idiots would read before posting. On PAGE ONE of the feedback it shows how this is a hoax. Yet here we are on page 10 with people still debating whether it's a hoax and talking about what it should be called.

  • He1l1o

    Posted Apr 29, 2006 1:44 pm PT

    Hell yeah...I'm not quite yet liking this, but whatever the conclusion may be, just as long as it's good or better, then it'll be in my shooping cart.

    BTW...isn't it good to have a Halo-related game that is not called "Halo"?

  • Gvaz

    Posted Apr 29, 2006 6:40 am PT

    i think that halo has been hyped too much. i never liked the game in my opinion. halo isnt the only good xbox game you know

  • jankai

    Posted Apr 29, 2006 4:04 am PT

    am really looking forward to halo3 and so are a lot of other people so other people dicide to take anvantage of us i just want it lol i dont no wat to belive

  • kingmacrae

    Posted Apr 28, 2006 9:50 pm PT

    i just want to play it it if it's online and has a good story line. i will not get it untill i get a summery. if one of you guys gets it in the future tell me how it is.

  • tarsush

    Posted Apr 28, 2006 5:59 pm PT

    man ... and that's the only reason i would buy the xbox 360.. to bad

  • dj_10

    Posted Apr 28, 2006 5:40 pm PT

    i just want halo 3

  • galinhagorda

    Posted Apr 28, 2006 10:22 am PT

    WTF
    I rather HALO

  • johnrichman

    Posted Apr 28, 2006 5:25 am PT

    Honestly i dont really like the name forerunner, i think that's a stupid idea ( thats only my opinion feel free to challenge me). to me it sounds like their diluting the Halo franchise. They need to bring out something as revolutionary as the first Halo and a good strong name like Halo 3 will be a good start.

  • mattttttttttttt

    Posted Apr 28, 2006 5:14 am PT

    im playing that nomatter what its gonna be so awsom (www.halo3xbox.com 4 halo 3 news)

  • stylo-xxx

    Posted Apr 28, 2006 2:42 am PT

    when come halo3???

  • hot_snot44

    Posted Apr 27, 2006 4:51 pm PT

    Tom clancy's Halo: Forerunner, The Begining of the Terrorists

  • BigNudeGuardian

    Posted Apr 27, 2006 5:47 am PT

    With the new price of the 360 goin down, i don't think that i am goin to buy one until the big bundle pack is actually down to $300. Or whenever Halo 3 comes out. I don't think that i could live with myself not owning the game once it came out.

  • gotrojans242

    Posted Apr 26, 2006 3:50 pm PT

    I think that this forum is kind of dumb because there is like 20 different opinions in one place its not like any of us actually know like they said Bungie is keeping a good close on there secrets so whats the point in listening to what people think about it we already know what we think.

  • PARANOiA-Ko0k13

    Posted Apr 26, 2006 1:27 pm PT

    some of u may call me a "nub cake" for this and im fine with that but i heard that forerunner is just a prequel to the halo story(a lot like halo zero) and they are still gonna release halo 3 as well

  • baggiejnr

    Posted Apr 26, 2006 2:06 am PT

    whoo anthor game with the masterchief whoo!!!!
    thats gotta be cool if true dont you think.

  • tristan_ice

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 11:31 am PT

    Um.....Ok well i have one problem with this..i'm not TOO familiar with the Halo storyline.....but in Halo 1....they find out ABOUT Halo.....so is it just me or would the name "Halo: Forerunner" not make sense?.....why add "Halo" to the title if it's BEFORE they actually discover Halo?.....either way i'll play it....and try to make sens of it later.....

  • britians

    Posted Apr 25, 2006 10:08 am PT

    I think microsoft should call the next halo shootout Halo3 Im disgusted with such a stupid name forrunner it should have a good name if any body understands what im sayin i mean I've been the halo king ever since the day it came out so I will most certainly play it. but still.

    P.S the PS3 is gonna suck out loud !

  • scmbg

    Posted Apr 24, 2006 11:30 am PT

    mmm... i think the name dos't matter.

    The game is the important here.

  • Mandalore9433

    Posted Apr 23, 2006 1:12 pm PT

    Im gonna get a copy right when the truck pulls in even if I have to board it!

  • anti-Fear

    Posted Apr 23, 2006 11:58 am PT

    me too

  • codfish25

    Posted Apr 22, 2006 4:43 am PT

    i hope its called halo 3

  • KazHeliosOmega

    Posted Apr 21, 2006 11:56 pm PT

    Uhm, maybe its actually Halo 2 port for the PC? I really hope so, coz my Xbox got struck by lightning... and my pc is the only mode of gameplay for now...... When are they gonna release Halo 2 for PC anyway? please could someone tell me?

  • thomasonfa

    Posted Apr 21, 2006 7:10 pm PT

    I'm not expecting them to change let just hope they don't charge us to play the new maps

  • Xx14NxX

    Posted Apr 21, 2006 8:26 am PT

    i dont care what its called!i just want a new 'Halo' like game to play on, whatever it is; it'll be a CLASSIC

  • BMW-M3

    Posted Apr 21, 2006 1:11 am PT

    I think microsoft and bungie are going to call it halo 3 because you dont change a marque's name, the flagship if you will. They will also drop it when PS3 launches because it is a capitalistic system and you want to beat your competitor.

    And with Halo... Halo 2, it hasnt been about the campaign, its been about the good times with friends.

  • ozzy_69

    Posted Apr 20, 2006 7:24 pm PT

    They could do the dual thing like they did in that one Metroid game where she switches between worlds and crap she does in 1 effects the other, that might happen? i unno im talking outa my ass...ne way halo 3

  • spartan808

    Posted Apr 20, 2006 7:19 pm PT

    They should just continue from where the story left off. It doesn't make any sense to make a different story. I was looking foward to Halo 3.

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