Microsoft names internal Halo label?

By thorsen-ink, GameSpotPosted Jul 20, 2009 1:50 pm PT

Source: See below. What we heard: The intermittent efforts of the proprietor of Superannutation to sift through the slurry of often-unreliable information on the Internet has yielded another data diamond. The blog has posted a link to a July 17 US Patent and Trademark Office filing by Microsoft for...

Source: See below.

What we heard: The intermittent efforts of the proprietor of Superannutation to sift through the slurry of often-unreliable information on the Internet has yielded another data diamond. The blog has posted a link to a July 17 US Patent and Trademark Office filing by Microsoft for the term "343 Industries" for use with "computer programs, namely, game software for use on computers and video." Other than Microsoft's address and attorney of record, no other information was given.

Though the number "343" might mean nothing to many gamers, it has major significance to fans of the Halo series. First and foremost, it is the name of 343 Guilty Spark, one of the series' most humorous, enigmatic, and--ultimately--lethal foes. An artificial intelligence housed inside a diminutive-but-powerful metal shell (pictured) built by the Forerunner race which constructed the game's titular ringworlds, 343 was worshipped as "The Oracle" by the multiracial interstellar theocracy known as the Covenant--the game's primary antagonist race. Unfortunately, for much of the Master Chief story arc, the machine is focused on activating the Halo arrays and destroying all life in the galaxy.

The name "343 Industries" also sounds less like a game and more like a label--a label that would be perfectly apt for the internal division of Microsoft Game Studios dedicated to the Halo franchise. The group, which currently has no distinct title, has drawn some notable names to its ranks, including former Kojima Productions producer Ryan Payton and Bungie alum Frank O'Connor. The Halo series' creator, the now-independent Bungie Studios, is still developing new installments, such as this fall's Halo 3: ODST and next year's Halo: Reach.

The official story: "We have nothing to announce at this time." --Microsoft rep.

Bogus or not bogus?: While thin, it's looking not bogus. Unless Microsoft is planning some sort of Railroad Tycoon-type manufacturing simulator, 343 Industries is almost certainly not a game. And if it's an internal studio--which many publishers give distinct identities to foster talent--the number points squarely at the Halo franchise.

[UPDATE] At Comic-Con, Microsoft announced 343 Industries is indeed a new division which will oversee the creation of Halo books, clothing, collectibles, and other content as well as liasing with studios such as Bungie on games.

176 Comments

  • Poison_1vy

    Posted Jul 27, 2009 12:20 pm PT

    Halo didnt revolutionize anything for me wow run and gun other game like r6 were 10x better than halo

  • geedotherodian

    Posted Jul 25, 2009 3:14 pm PT

    @lord chancelor that isn't how the game ends

  • lordchancelor

    Posted Jul 23, 2009 11:45 am PT

    the end stinks. WHAT kind of ending was that?

  • cptpeg

    Posted Jul 22, 2009 6:39 am PT

    @SalarianChemist

    My mistake, I thought it was only being released as a large DLC expansion, I hadn't heard that they were releasing it on disc.

  • SalarianChemist

    Posted Jul 22, 2009 5:15 am PT

    @parhar67:

    You are correct.

    Gamespot recently wrote an article explaining that the newly released Killzone 2 was already being outsold by Halo 3 on a monthly basis -- even though Halo 3 had been on the market for 21 months.

  • SalarianChemist

    Posted Jul 22, 2009 5:07 am PT

    @cptpeg:

    Halo 3: ODST is definitely a "full game."

    Halo 3: Orbital Drop Shock Trooper is its own "independent" game. You don't even need to be an owner of Halo 3 in order to play Halo 3: ODST; although, Halo 3: ODST does come with all 21 maps from Halo 3, plus 3 new maps.

    The developers and publishers of Halo 3: ODST have repeatedly said in interviews that although the game may have started out with the idea of becoming an "expansion" to Halo 3, it eventually grew in size and scope to becoming a full game. This is the reason why the game originally was named Halo 3: Recon, but was then renamed Halo 3: ODST.

    Halo 3: ODST keeps the "Halo 3" name simply because it is taking place at the same time as Halo 3 -- which looks at things from the point of view of the Spartan soldier named Master Chief.

    Halo 3: ODST is the size and length of a full game -- it has just as much depth, if not more than the majority of games on the market today. In fact, Halo 3: ODST has a new Co-Op mode called "Fire-Fight" which is similar to the Horde mode found in Gears of War 2.

    I'm excited for Halo 3: ODST because it looks at things from the point of view from a Shock Trooper rather than a Spartan.

    I made sure to preorder my copy of Halo 3: ODST from Gamestop as soon as Gamespot reported that you can get a special "token" that allows you to play as Sgt. Johnson! Gamestop is the only store offering this promotion. It doesn't cost anything to preorder, but you do need to place a $5 deposit.

    Halo 3: ODST is going to be fun with all the new multi-player and co-op modes, along with the awesome graphics!

  • parhar67

    Posted Jul 22, 2009 2:25 am PT

    yeh halo 3 does suck....thats why there have been over a BILLION matches online right? Where will killzone 2 be in 2 years....probably dead they will shut the server down because nobody will use it anymore

  • cptpeg

    Posted Jul 22, 2009 2:01 am PT

    At the end of the day if you don't want to play another Halo game, don't buy it!

  • cptpeg

    Posted Jul 22, 2009 1:57 am PT

    @STZ513
    To be fair ODST isn't a full game it's an expansion, but I do see your point. I also agree that Halo games aren't the best games in the world and they do have their faults, but it doesn't make them any less enjoyable and I'm sure any additions to the series will be just as fun.

    Although what I'm saying is what difference does it make if 4 games come out in 4 years, 4 months or 4 decades. If the developers have put the effort into it and made a quality game it shouldn't matter how many games from the same series are released. The reason people continue making games from the same series is because they have been proven as successful in the market, so especially when the economy is in the state it's in, a lot of developers are not going to want to try something new at the risk that no one will like it.

    I know it kinda sucks always seeing the same faces and names appearing across the gaming world but we should be happy with the fact that we a getting a constant flow of good playable games and they aren't always knocking out crap.

  • benashley

    Posted Jul 22, 2009 12:01 am PT

    oops sorry BenBenBen93 should of read yours before posting, never mind hay! great minds think alike

  • benashley

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 11:59 pm PT

    you can tell just by looking at bg_fernandez's killzone avatar pic, that hes a PS3 fashionChav fan boy, who will bad mouth anything Xbox does. Milking it? how many MGS titles are they going to churn out, not to mention FF. Do us all a favour and go away little boy.

  • BenBenBen93

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 7:01 pm PT

    @okassar. i would happily see a new halo game every year than see one every 4 years. at the momment its HALO milked this halo milked that. well MGS. and mario and sonic and Call of duty and hum lets see oh yer the new final fantasy 13 franchise. but its ok because sony is milking it not the xbo.

  • BenBenBen93

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 6:55 pm PT

    so instead of bungie doing the game their gong to do a hostile take over of bungie an disband it and create a new studio called 343 industries? i suppose its good for the halo franchise but certainly not good fo anything else

  • okassar

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 5:47 pm PT

    I watched just watched the video GS posted on this article,brings back good memories Man I love Halo,you just cannot deny how epic it is.

    I'm sure you wouldn't mind if I say that MGS and Mario are being milked...right?

    Get out of here.If it is called milking,then hell Bungie,give me all the milk you can make.

  • sleath_hunter33

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 5:24 pm PT

    alright both sony and mircosoft enjoy milking their games because it gets them money. mgs and halo r world know games true mgs has been around longer and halo gain a rapid fan base the point is u choose to pay for the game and to keep the money flowing companies make sequels if the game failed their would be no sequels after a while games take a dive. halo is the same thing over and over again shoot stupid A.I.s while avoid death and mgs is hide or die in truth gets boring after playing the same thing 100 times but the name gets people to buy thats y fps are dieing and almost no one makes spy games y did the mission impossible and bond games fall out of favor something over and over. for the frst 10 times its fun after a while u dont think about it i have all 3 halos and only play it online when im bored other wise i play rpgs. but its ur money that drive this games to success not the game if no one buys them their thrown out

  • facistinabag

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 5:15 pm PT

    @ acsam12304

    Once again I have no clue what you are saying. You have a period in the middle of a sentence that made no sense in the first place.

    @bg_fernadez
    Your trying to tell people that a game is subpar, you fail. All people have different opinions on games, not everyone shares the same belief as you do.
    You make the term "average game" seem bad, an average game is just that, average, theres nothing wrong with it, it may not be the greatest game ever, but it's pretty decent. Theres nothing wrong with buying an average game, sorry, not every game can be amazing godlike.

  • bg_fernandez

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 4:19 pm PT

    wow u guys are in such denial and u guys got me misunderstood me a little...halo was awesome...halo 2 was pretty good...halo 3 was subpar...graphics were like Halo 2 in HD(but i know graphics dont make games), halo wars was meh...now theyre making ODST(an expansion which is priced at 69.99). this just proves that microsoft is milking halo for its money and u all are helping them just because halo is in front of the name. my whole point to this is that halo was good but it took a fall after that but ppl are still buying an average game because of the word halo. @ TheoleDominion
    i agree

  • TheoleDominion

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 3:52 pm PT

    lol...I do it too.

  • werruraz

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 3:50 pm PT

    Hmm i never see the bigger picture until i put my foot in my mouth Thanks TheoleDominion for reminding me.

  • TheoleDominion

    Posted Jul 21, 2009 3:47 pm PT

    Regardless of what your "personal" reasoning are for a title being milk has no bearing whatsoever. A title that SELLS is going to more than likely get multiple "makes." Regardless if we personally feel it's worthy or not in "our minds."

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