Bungie bowing out of Halo franchise

Cult developer Bungie has admitted that Halo: Reach, of which hardly anything is yet known, will most likely be the last Halo title it develops for Xbox 360.

However, the company also hinted that platform holder Microsoft may be less willing to give up on its hugely profitable brand – particularly owing to its recent formation of Halo-dedicated studio 393 Industries.

When asked if Reach would be Bungie’s final Halo game on 360, designer Lars Bakken told CVG: In terms of a platform for Halo games made by Bungie, yes.

”I can’t answer that question for Microsoft though. Whether they have something in the works or not, I don’t know if they’re actually ready to talk about it yet, but in terms of Bungie-produced Halo games, ODST and then Reach is probably all you’re going to get.”

Halo: Reach won’t be out until late 2010.