14 DAY TRIAL // Halo 4 might be one of the biggest video game releases of 2012, but the team that created it at 343 Industries knows that it can do better on its next effort and promises to continue offering long-term support for the current experience.
Frank O’Connor states in an official blog post that, “We have a lot to learn. We made a lot of mistakes. We can do better. And we know this, and we will. But I don’t want to spend the first moments of the year thinking about the negatives, because frankly, I am incredibly proud of both the team and the game that team created.”
The developer acknowledges that it was initially hard for 343 Industries to step into the oversized shoes of original developer Bungie.
But he also says that the entire team has progressed very quickly and has made Halo 4 the best game it can be, the fastest selling title in the entire franchise and winner of numerous end of the year awards.
O’Connor adds, “We altered the engine. We expanded the universe. We innovated in storytelling, technology, and even marketing. It wasn’t flawless by any stretch of the imagination, but by most objective criteria, it was a resounding success.”
Mistakes and problems with the core game and the DLC are also acknowledged and 343 Industries will try to perform better in the future, mainly by communicating more with the fan base.
The current Halo story arc will use another two games, both of them linked to the next home console generation from Microsoft.
Master Chief will continue to be the main character of the series and 343 Industries has hinted that it plans to introduce a new cast in the next game.
An official announcement about Halo 5 will probably be made at the same time as Microsoft reveals the Xbox 720.