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Halo Studios

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343 Industries
Company typeSubsidiary of Microsoft Studios
IndustryInteractive entertainment
Computer and video games
Founded2007
HeadquartersKirkland, Washington, U.S.
Key people
Frank O’Connor (franchise director)
ProductsVideo games
OwnerMicrosoft
Number of employees
300 (September 2012)[1]
ParentMicrosoft Studios
Website343 Industries

343 Industries, commonly shortened to 343i, or just 343, is an American video game developer located in Kirkland, Washington. It was established in 2007 by Microsoft Game Studios to oversee development of the Halo science fiction media franchise, which includes video games, novels, comics, and other multimedia content. Its name derives from 343 Guilty Spark, a character within the Halo universe.

History

In 2007, Bungie, the original developers of the Halo franchise, separated from Microsoft and became an independent studio.[2] However, Microsoft retained the Halo intellectual property rights and created 343i to oversee the future development of the franchise.[3]

Bungie

After the highly successful release of Halo 3 in 2007, Bungie was able to break from Microsoft and become independent. The Halo intellectual property rights remained with Microsoft as well as a minority equity interest in Bungie. Even after the separation Bungie agreed to an additional development of two more Halo games, Halo 3: ODST in 2009 and Halo: Reach in 2010.[4][5][6][7]

Assembly

On April 29, 2010, Bungie announced that Halo: Reach would be their last Halo game, and that all future projects would be developed by 343i.[8] During this transition, some Bungie staff members transferred to 343i. Their first project was Halo Waypoint, a downloadable application for the Xbox 360 and later Windows Phone 7, iOS & Android where players can track their accomplishments through the Halo series of games as well as keep up to date with the latest Halo related news and content. 343i also developed Halo: Reach's second and third map packs, entitled "Defiant" and "Anniversary" respectively, in conjunction with Certain Affinity. Additionally, the studio was involved in the development of Halo Legends, a collection of animated short films based on the Halo lore. When Pandemic Studios was liquidated, a large number of staff moved to 343i.[9]

Current projects

The company was responsible for the HD remake of Halo: Combat Evolved, titled Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, which was released the 15th of November, 2011, to celebrate the 10th year since the first franchise installment on the 15th of November, 2001. The remake includes additional story elements as well as heavily updated graphics. The title was a joint effort by 343i, Certain Affinity, and Saber Interactive. 343i has completed their first official, new Halo installment, Halo 4, released on November 6, 2012, which is confirmed to be the first title of a Halo Reclaimer trilogy.

Halo Waypoint

343i’s first project was Halo Waypoint, a downloadable application for the Xbox 360 and later Windows Phone. This service is used as a place where players can track their accomplishments through the Halo series of games. This has added many tabletop role-playing game elements to online play as well as stat tracking, allowing players to view and share their progress in greater detail. The application also serves as an independent media distribution service and the Halo Waypoint forums a social hub for fans of the franchise.[10]

Non-Software Projects

Aside from video games, 343i is involved in the production of numerous Halo novels and various other Halo related media projects.

Microsoft, in a contract with the Mega Bloks toy company, is in conjunction with 343i to manufacture a new line of toys and other memorabilia for the upcoming Halo trilogy. In a statement from the chief innovation officer of Mega Bloks, “Halo Authentic Collectors Series is one of the toy industries leading properties.”[11]

Games

Year Title Platform Notes
2007 Halo 3 Xbox 360 Application*. 343 Industries made the game along with james bond.
2009 Halo Waypoint* Xbox 360, Windows Phone 7, iOS, Android Application*. Initially developed in conjunction with Certain Affinity, the application receives regular updates including statistics, content browsing enhancements, and expanded career progression. These updates are done by 343i internally.
2010 Halo: Reach* Xbox 360 Developed by Bungie*. 343 Industries was given control of the game and servers in August 2011. 343 and Certain Affinity developed its second and third map packs entitled "Defiant" and "Anniversary", respectively.
2011 Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary[12] Xbox 360 Remake of Halo: Combat Evolved. It was developed by Saber Interactive with oversight by 343i. Released November 15, 2011 in the United States.
2012 Halo 4[13] Xbox 360 Revealed E3 2011, as part of a brand new Halo trilogy. Developed exclusively by 343 Industries. Released on November 6, 2012.

References

  1. ^ Makuch, Eddie (2012-09-26). "Halo 4 done". GameSpot. Retrieved 2012-09-26.
  2. ^ "Bungie Studios Becomes Privately Held Independent Company". Bungie. Retrieved 2011-03-19.
  3. ^ Vore, Bryan (2011). "Taking Over 'Halo'". Game Informer. 11 (223): 28–33. ISSN 1067-6392. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  4. ^ Eaton, Nick. "E3: 'Halo 4' First of New Xbox Trilogy From Microsoft". Microsoft. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  5. ^ Sketch, Frankie. "Bungie Announces Independence". Bungie Studios. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  6. ^ Reilly, Jim. "Halo: Reach Will Be Bungie's Last Halo Game". IGN.com. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  7. ^ Parker, Max (8 June 2011). "Gaming Enters a New Era". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  8. ^ "Halo: Reach Will Be Bungie's Last Halo Game". IGN. Retrieved 2011-03-19.
  9. ^ "Microsoft hires ex-Pandemic members for new Halo game". gamer.blorge.com. 2010-11-21. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-02. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ McWhertor, Michael. "Comic-Con 09". kotaku.com. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  11. ^ "Mega Brands and Microsoft Game Studios Renew Global Licensing Partnership". Electronics Business Journal. June 2011. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  12. ^ "Microsoft leaks details about next Halo game". VentureBeat. 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2012-08-06.
  13. ^ "Microsoft E3 landing page leaks Kinect upgrades, Halo 4 news". Digital Trends. 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2012-08-06.
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