The screenshot you see above is one I took just after 17:00 (local time) yesterday, and it’s the sight that awaits you if you point your browser over to www.bungie.com
Love it or hate it, Halo was one of the biggest game launches ever, and when Bungie gear up to announce something new, it’s worth taking notice. Since Halo Wars has been revealed already in a CGI trailer last year, that leaves only three options:
- It’s the official unveiling of the Peter Jackson Halo project, which Bungie has referred to before
- It’s a completely new IP
- It’s a game based in the Halo universe, but following a completely different set of characters and plot.
Whatever the case, when the countdown timer visible in the bottom right of that picture (click for the larger version) reaches zero, we’ll have a chance to see how tied Bungie really is to the Halo universe. Keep an eye out for the announcement at 17:07 local time, today.
Last Updated: July 16, 2008
Etienne Vlok
July 16, 2008 at 07:50
A note, it should be 16:07 (there was 23 hours left when I took the pic at 17:07 yesterday. My bad.)
Interestingly enough, that means the announcement will occur (accounting for the 9 hour difference) at 7:07 17/07 Pacific time. Yep, it’s Bungie and the 7’s again.
Etienne Vlok’s last blog post..What exactly will Bungie announce?
Etienne Vlok
July 16, 2008 at 07:52
And as soon as I post that, I click through to the link again to be met with a huge letdown – go have a look yourself. The publisher (presumably MS?) have decided to postpone whatever announcement it may be, so nothing from Bungie for now.
Etienne Vlok’s last blog post..What exactly will Bungie announce?
janrik
July 16, 2008 at 08:23
Sigh. I want more Halo!!!!
They should: Create a game and mini series (think BSG) based on the Ghosts of Onyx Spartan III’s.
That would kick ass.
Krypty
July 16, 2008 at 08:35
Yep, all the stuff have been removed from websites etc.
Update 3: Luke Smith has commented to Joystiq: “We still have an exclusive publishing agreement with Microsoft, as we confirmed when we announced the split last year. That arrangement has not changed.” Also, all teased images of an announcement have now been removed from Bungie.net and within Halo 3. View images in the gallery below.
Update 2: Luke Smith replied to a comment made in NeoGAF confirming the publisher in question is in fact Microsoft. Reponding to the comment, “Bungie is the one who made this great little hype machine. And–although this will just add to the fire–they never say it’s Microsoft.” Smith replied, “Our publisher is Microsoft.”
Update: Bungie community lead Luke Smith has confirmed the postponement is legitimate. “We already are deeply disappointed with how things unfolded to this point without getting our fans to the intended payoff.” When forum goers at NeoGAF assumed it was a joke Smith responded with the above comment and added, “Nope. Not our style.” It’s real everyone. Sorry.
It appears that the wait is over. Forgoing the original plan of waiting for the countdown clock to reach zero, Bungie.net has been updated with new information regarding the mysterious Superintendent. According to the newly refreshed site, the Superintendent is … well, we don’t know. According to the site Bungie was working toward a reveal when its publishing partner, presumably Microsoft, canceled the announcement.
Right now on Bungie.net a letter from Bungie president, Harold Ryan is displayed and reveals the cancellation of the announcement.
doobiwan
July 16, 2008 at 09:51
Sad Panda Face 🙁
I was really looking forward to this announcement. What it does say though is that Microsoft pwned E3 and don’t need to show any more of their hand just yet 😉
doobiwan’s last blog post..The Games that made the consoles
Gazza ZA
July 16, 2008 at 14:12
Yep that was the backup plan in case Sony or Nintendo managed to upstage them!
Gazza ZA’s last blog post..E3 in pictures