O'Connor: Fans Will Notice Halo Dev Change

Microsoft's Halo franchise is under new management - as such will be "scrutinised differently" by hardcore fans. At least, that's what 343 Industries' Frank O'Connor, told CVG.

"Right now Bungie is supporting the community with matchmaking and stats, but at this point that's it," O'Connor pointed out that Bungie is no longer involved in titles going forward, "in terms of actual Halo product this marks the first where there is no Bungie, or even tertiary Bungie involvement other than matchmaking".

O'Connor points out that the development doesn't feel any different with many of the original developers still on board, "It hasn't felt different for me because I used to work with all of these guys. So it feels like a continuation, but it will also be scrutinised differently by the fans - or at least the hardcore fans because there will be an apparent difference whether there is any reality to it or not."

343 is also expecting the public to notice the change in developers, O'Connor added "There will be things that they'll say 'oh this is better than that' about but we'll just have to wait and see." O'Connor notes that the developer will be watching for fan reaction to changes, "you have to take it seriously because your core fans are also the most educated. But you also have to remember that probably 75% of the audience doesn't know who makes the games - to them it's like 'Xbox makes the games'. Those are a bulk of the audience that you also have to pay close, careful and loving attention to."

O'Connor also dismissed rumours that TimeShift developer Saber Interactive is remaking the original Halo in HD.