One of the biggest reveals at this year’s E3 was the announcement and confirmation that 343 Industries would be carrying on the Halo legacy with a brand new trilogy. Yes, after years of waiting, Halo 4 was finally unveiled as the first part in the recently-branded ‘Reclaimer Trilogy’, and fans everywhere have been giddy with speculation on the game ever since.
However, there is at least one individual at 343 Industries who wasn’t content with his work on Halo 4, and has decided to leave the company. The ex-343 employee is none other than Creative Director Ryan Payton. Many may remember Payton for his work on Metal Gear Solid, before joining up with Microsoft to work on the Halo franchise, and the veteran’s involvement will surely be missed by fans of the franchise.
Kotaku recently had an opportunity to ask Payton a few questions about why he was abandoning his position as Halo 4‘s Creative Director, and his reasoning was very reasonable – and even admirable.
“I had a great run at Microsoft. I don’t regret one day of it. But after a few years, there came a point where I wasn’t creatively excited about the project anymore.”
“The Halo I wanted to build was fundamentally different and I don’t think I had built enough credibility to see such a crazy endeavor through.”
Ryan Payton announced that he was opening up his own studio called Camouflaj. With this studio, Mr. Payton hopes to create a video game that “one billion people play at once”, and something that hits people “harder than a great book or film”. Those goals are lofty indeed, and while the former Creative Director of Halo 4 know that some people call him crazy for following a dream like that, he doesn’t seem to care.
“I think time is the most valuable thing we have, and I’ve decided that I’m not going to waste one more day working on something that doesn’t speak to my values.”
Ryan still seems confident that Halo 4 will be a great game, so nobody should worry about the future of the series.
Those anxiously waiting for Halo 4 do have the pending release of Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary to get excited about, and if that’s still not enough then there’s always the Halo 4 cameo in Forza 4 to look forward to.
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Source: Kotaku
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Halo is overrated. The franchise needs to get over itself already.
I assume you are a cod fan? Cod is the most overrated crap I have seen, besides angry birds. Besides, plenty of people love halo…
I wouldn’t necessarily jump to the conclusion that he’s just a Call of Duty fanboy. I still do disagree with him though, I don’t think it’s an overrated franchise. It may not be the most fun games at time but the story is quite engaging. Not necessarily the whole “Master Chief” part but the back story to everything such as the forerunners.
http://www.amazon.com/Halo-Encyclopedia-DK-Publishing/dp/0756655498
If you enjoy Halo you’d probably enjoy this. Not trying to advertise just that it’s a good read.
I think it’s “overrated” in a sense that underage kids treat it like Holy Grail. Since most underage kids haven’t developed their own sets of standard, yet, they are easily influenced by what their friends consider “great”. And from there it’s snow ball effect.
That’s not saying Halo isn’t a great franchise; I personally love the Halo series very much, I just think that half of Halo’s popularity comes from kids who take others’ words as their own. And because of it, many sarcastic know-it-all “grown ups” don’t take Halo very seriously.
You put that very well. I have to say I agree with you there. A lot of people bash a game without any reasoning behind it.
DON”T YOU DARE TALK ILL OF ANGRY BIRDS!!!
I don’t think this makes a difference in the final product, but I didn’t find the campaign of any of the Halo games to be of Triple-A nature so that needs to be stepped up.
I’ve grown up with Halo. I also like COD. Halo created a new bread of games and is loved by many people. COD probably more, although it is on all console and not just xbox. The original series of Halo is a masterpiece in gaming, last years Reach wasn’t to bad either – could have been a little bit better. But I think with the new trilogy of Halo will be restored to its former glory with Master chief reprising his role as the awesome protagonist he’s been for 10 years now.
And Angry Birds, well thats just the best game ever!
Lol angry birds sucks. Infinity blade is where it’s at!
Have not heard of infinity blade ill will check it out. Angry birds is good for a day tops.
Halo 4 is where its at
i would deff buy a new halo game way before i buy another repetitive call of duty game as far as kids go playin games i see alot mmore playin call of duty then any other game ive seen so as far as this year is concerned ill be payin for battleefield 3 not call of duty pay to play