The Halo series is one that has not only left imprints on the minds and memories of so many, but also created a bond of brother and sisterhood among fans. With some parting words, Bungie leaves fans a nice, final message after 20 years of awesome adventures.
While au revoir is a “formal” goodbye in the French language, I think it is appropriate in this situation. Let us say goodbye to Bungie and Halo being one, but also welcome with open arms not only new Halo games, but also new games to be crafted under the huge shadow that Bungie has created for itself in the past 20 years.
In the send-off, Community Manager Eric “urk” Osborne tells fans that Halo “is in great hands…yours.” And that it is; as I log on to my complete collection of Halo games, I can see that people are still playing online, keeping the tradition alive, and making sure that the franchise that really brought online multiplayer to the console is still remembered by those who lived through it. While times may change, the places we’ve been and the sites we’ve seen will not. Bungie will be changing though, and I’m sure it will only improve upon itself. Osborne hints to these good changes, and also hints toward the studios next big game.
We’ll be undergoing a metamorphosis of our own. Very soon Bungie.net will change, culminating with the launch of our next universe at some unknown time in the future.
[…] Afterwards, we’ll be going dark on our studio’s next major endeavor – the creation of a brand new universe. You’ll still have a home here should you choose to stay, but our next project demands an unwavering focus. We owe it to ourselves to make something better than we ever have before. We owe it to you, as well.
Of course, this is not the end of Bungie or Halo. I believe that Osborne’s final paragraph really sums up just what this send-off actually means:
So, this isn’t a goodbye. It isn’t The End. Instead, it’s the very beginning of a new journey that will stretch the limits of what we are capable of. Ancient engines are now rumbling deep within the heart of our studio, and their energy will power us through the upcoming darkness. Like all dark times ours will be broken first by a single strand of light – a tether reaching out to bind us all together again. One day, we will awaken in a wondrous new place and we will remember just what it was that drew us together at the beginning of it all. We will look up to the heavens, and find hope.
Thank you for everything.
See you starside.
With a new project on the way, one cannot help but be excited for Bungie’s next endeavor. Please also note that anything bought from the Bungie Store or the XBL Marketplace (Avatar Items) through September will have all proceeds donated to charities through the Bungie Foundation, so if you have a moment and a few spare bucks, please take a moment to donate to this wonderful foundation. It’ll make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Check out the full send-off here, and also check out Halo: Combat Evolved Getting a HD Remake and Master Chief is Undergoing Personality Therapy for Halo 4!