NEWS - Thursday, December 14, 2006
Halo Multiplayer Guru Forms Studio
The Austin-based development house entered a strategic partnership with Microsoft and Halo developer Bungie that will bring the maps to Xbox 360 in spring 2007. "We’re not setting out to change the industry," Hoberman said in a statement. "We’re creating games by choosing strong leaders, talented and experienced developers, and solid partners. This partnership with Bungie and Microsoft Game Studios is a piece of that puzzle and we hope it’s the start of a long and fruitful relationship." Microsoft announced plans for new Halo 2 maps in mid-November, coinciding with the franchise’s fifth anniversary. Hoberman led the creation of the matchmaking and party system in Halo 2, which released in 2004 for Xbox and is still one of the most heavily played Xbox Live games. Aside from the maps, Certain Affinity is developing a new Xbox 360 game that is currently under wraps. Hoberman left Bungie after 10 years, where he and his team laid the groundwork for Halo 3’s multiplayer and online components. “Halo 2 turned the online world on its head, but Halo 3 is going to rip its head right off,” he claimed. Certain Affinity’s staff is comprised of industry vets who have worked with companies such as Origin, Digital Anvil and Bungie. Employees have played key roles in the development of games including Ultima, Wing Commander, Myth, Asheron’s Call, Freelancer, and the Ghost Recon and Halo series.Source: http://www.next-gen.biz/
