Xbox Gaming in South Africa

Whether you liked Halo or thought it was a tad overrated, one thing you have to agree on is that it had a profound affect on how we see and play FPS titles today. Heck, without Halo there might not even have been a Xbox 360. I know that might be pushing it, but I - like many others - bought the first Xbox just to play that Halo game. Halo had substance, and from the get-go, you knew you were playing not just another generic FPS title, but a labour of love from a group who cared about the quality of their game.

It was then with a very heartfelt and emotional letter on Bungie.net that the long-time developers of the series, Bungie, said goodbye to their flagship series on this year’s Bungie Day (marking a career spanning 20 years). In the letter they handed the reins to the new lead Halo developer 343 Industries, who are currently working on the Halo: Combat Evolved HD remake along with a new game in the Halo series, Halo 4.

Halo is yours now. In many ways, it always has been. Its new caretakers will strive, just as we did, to be worthy stewards but you have the package. Hold these characters and stories and worlds to the same unflinching standards you did while we were at the helm, but allow them all to blossom and change and grow in the ways that they must.

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. The first small steps will be taken soon, with Halo playlist management changing hands on August 2nd, the very same day we plan to deploy our parting thoughts on the last twenty years through a ViDoc titled, "O Brave New Worlds."

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.

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.

Here's to another 20 years for Bungie, and we can’t wait to see what lies on the horizon for this fantastic developer.