Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Former Ensemble staffer talks about cancelled Halo MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/12/former-ensemble-staffer-talks-about-cancelled-halo-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/12/former-ensemble-staffer-talks-about-cancelled-halo-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/12/former-ensemble-staffer-talks-about-cancelled-halo-mmo/#commentsFiled under: ,

Here's a blast from the past for you: Halo MMO. The project from Ensemble studios -- codenamed Titan -- left a lot of disappointed fans when Ensemble closed and development was canceled.

We've not heard much from that area for several months, but IncGamers got a chance today to speak to Dusty Monk for some new information on the now-defunct MMO. Dusty -- now the founder of Windstorm Studios -- was a staffer for Ensemble and pretty heavily focused on the Halo project. He's got some interesting things to say about what could have been: "We had all this incredible talent, we had the right people, the right passion, we had a phenomenally successful IP - the Halo IP."

If you're a Halo fan thinking wistfully about what could have been, you'll definitely want to check out what else he had to say in this interview with IncGamers.

[Thanks to Belinda for the tip!]

MassivelyFormer Ensemble staffer talks about cancelled Halo MMO originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Apr 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dusty-monkensemble-studiosHalohalo-mmoignwindstorm-studiosMon, 12 Apr 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Is this concept art from the canceled Halo MMO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/22/is-this-concept-art-from-the-canceled-halo-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/22/is-this-concept-art-from-the-canceled-halo-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/22/is-this-concept-art-from-the-canceled-halo-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Last year, the news that a Halo MMO was once in development left us all wondering "what if?". The game was being made by Ensemble Studios, who put out the Xbox 360 RTS Halo Wars. The screenshot that was plastered over most stories about the cancellation looked decidedly World of Warcraft-y, and an Ensemble representative later said that the more advanced versions of the game fit the Halo theme much better. Perhaps it looked a bit like this. Some internet sleuthery on fansite Halo.Bungie.Org has uncovered this gallery of concept art from former Ensemble Studios artist Dylan Cole. The art doesn't appear to be from Halo Wars, and our friends at Joystiq raised the question: could this be from the canceled Halo MMO?

The art is marked as being from the "Halo Universe", which may simply be referring to the general Halo world -- but maybe it isn't. At the moment it's all speculation, and Joystiq has contacted Dylan Cole to see if anything can be cleared up. Whatever it was for, it's some fine work and well worth checking out, particularly for Halo fans (of which we hear there are a few). Start at page one of the gallery here.

MassivelyIs this concept art from the canceled Halo MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canceleddylan-coleensemble-studioshalohalo-mmohalo-universeTue, 22 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Halo MMO: What could have been]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/02/the-halo-mmo-what-could-have-been/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/02/the-halo-mmo-what-could-have-been/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/02/02/the-halo-mmo-what-could-have-been/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


In an interesting article at Gamasutra, the last days of Ensemble Studios are chronicled to honor the mega studio and what they once were. Regardless of the titles that put them on the map, the studio had some great games in the works. One such game was the Halo MMO, which was confirmed late last year. The project -- codenamed Orion -- has been in the works, in one form or another, since 1998.

According to the article, this project was to be the new focus of the company. There was even a brand new facility being built to house the development of the game. The construction of that building suddenly stopped one day, and Microsoft informed the team that they would be closing down operations. The project originally known as Titan was no more. Check out the entire three-page article for more on the last days of Ensemble Studios.

MassivelyThe Halo MMO: What could have been originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>closureensemble-studiosgamasutrahalo-mmomicrosoftoriontitanMon, 02 Feb 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Further details emerge on the canceled Halo MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/further-details-emerge-on-the-canceled-halo-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/further-details-emerge-on-the-canceled-halo-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/further-details-emerge-on-the-canceled-halo-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Shacknews had the chance to speak with Ensemble director of technology Dave Pottinger, who had quite a bit to say about the Halo MMO. The biggest surprise revealed was that the game had gotten a green light and was in development for a good length of time before leadership changed at Microsoft, and the title was canceled. Pottinger also acknowledge the fact that conceptual screens leaked were in fact designed with a very World of Warcraft mentality, although he stressed that what Ensemble actually ended up with internally at the time had more emphasis on feeling like the traditional Halo universe.

Combat was also a topic of discussion. Pottinger says the game's combat had a very classic MMO feel to it, but there was a leaning towards an "actiony" feel. Whether or not Ensemble's Halo MMO was or is a good idea, there's no denying the fact that a properly made title could still appeal to a lot of people.

MassivelyFurther details emerge on the canceled Halo MMO originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardblizzardbreakingbungiedave-pottingerensembleensemble-studioshalohalo-mmomicrosoftshacknewsworld-of-warcraftMon, 17 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bungie considers the challenges of a Halo MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/14/bungie-considers-the-challenges-of-a-halo-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/14/bungie-considers-the-challenges-of-a-halo-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/14/bungie-considers-the-challenges-of-a-halo-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Bungie community and PR director Brian Jarrard recently told gamesindustry.biz that a Halo MMO has been the subject of "heated discussions" at the house that built Master Chief. Jarrard opines on the topic for a while, concluding that a lot of new lore and characters on top of the already-extensive universe that is Halo for a workable MMO.

That point of view rings quite true with us here at Massively. Typically, any time a non-MMO property is tapped for entry into the genre there are mountains of conceptual alterations that need to be made -- not to mention the catch 22 Jedi concession. You can't have a compelling Star Wars MMO without Jedi, however there needs to be some serious lore considerations if a developer is to allow hundreds of players run around their game world as laser-sword swinging, neo-space faring, monk/samurai. The same rule applies to the rare and elite Spartan warriors of the Halo universe.

MassivelyBungie considers the challenges of a Halo MMO originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brian-jarrardbungieensemble-studiosgamesindustry.bizhalohalo-mmojedimaster-chiefspartanstar-warsTue, 14 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ensemble Studios was working on Halo MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/23/closed-ensemble-studios-were-working-on-halo-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/23/closed-ensemble-studios-were-working-on-halo-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/23/closed-ensemble-studios-were-working-on-halo-mmo/#commentsFiled under:


Gamasutra has broken the news that Ensemble Studios, responsible for Halo Wars, was working on a Halo MMO. It's not clear at what stage the project was canned, but Gamasutra's analysis based on available material is that it was probably cancelled in mid to late 2007.

Gamasutra has also gained access to some prototype UI and level screenshots. With the help of our own lead blogger here at Massively, Michael Zenke, they've attempted to unscramble how the UI might function. Michael points out the clear similarities with the World of Warcraft interface, identifying what appear to be a mana bar, inventory button, talent tree and other functions. Louis Wu of the unofficial Halo website halo.bungie.org offers expert commentary on the level shots, identifying the familiar and the hitherto unseen aspects.

As Gamasutra points out in the article, there are multiple development teams at work on Halo-related projects right now. It's therefore possible that a Halo MMO could still exist, but if it does, there's not a whisper of its presence so far.

Update: Apologies for referring to Ensemble Studios as 'closed'; they are scheduled to be closed after the release of Halo Wars, but this has not yet taken place.

Update 2: Gamespot's Rumor Control department has taken a long hard look at the evidence, and has pointed to a Flickr photostream containing 50 images of what appears to be a Halo MMO in development.

MassivelyEnsemble Studios was working on Halo MMO originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingensembleensemble-studioshalohalo-mmomicrosoftTue, 23 Sep 2008 11:15:00 EST