80%
Probable
Over the past month or so, a couple of different sources have leaked that a Destiny-style Halo MMO may be quietly in development at Halo Studios. The original leak was posted by Reddit user HTD_Blog, who shared the following information based on a friend with knowledge of the project:
For about 1-2 years, Microsoft have been tinkering with the idea of a Halo MMO in the vein of Destiny 2. It is very much in the idea stage, although a small amount of development has occurred to get a feel for gameplay. It has yet to be approved as a full idea.
The idea was put on the table by Obsidian, and Phil Spencer said "give it a go". He was more than happy, since some of the biggest consistent moneymakers for Microsoft are their MMOs - ESO, FO76, and WoW. Obsidian will NOT be making it, though. My friend said it is a team within a studio called 'Team X'.
From what I have heard, you'll play the role of a soldier, similar to ODST. Then complete various quests on different planets. PVP, dungeons, and Raids will be there (if approved). Basically, think of Destiny 2 but in the Halo universe.
Around two weeks ago, reliable Halo leaker Technical Halo added:
A trusted source of mine says the Halo MMOFPS prototype is real, started prototyping it a few years ago, and that this rumor sounds exactly like it. He says he’s seen video of it.
Now, Halo fans have discovered a recent interview with the STEM Educational Institute in which Halo Studios head Pierre Hintze appears to tease an interest in cooperative, MMO-like gameplay, albeit in the guise of an industry-wide talk.
The event of having deeper experiences where the distinction between experiences with and against humans becomes more of a blurred line, and creating experiences that are no longer dependent on the good behavior of another individual who is playing with you. I see this as an opportunity because we can tell such more reinforced positive stories by having a greater level of variety and control over the experiences you’re going to have.
Yes, it is incredibly rewarding if you go into a first-person shooter and play one versus one and win. But it is also incredibly rewarding if you guys are completing an objective or completing a raid in an MMO and you see the solidarity and the help and support we can lend each other.
This isn't actually the first time Microsoft has looked into creating a Halo MMO. Between 2004 and 2007, Ensemble Studios attempted such a project, although it was more akin to a sci-fi version of World of Warcraft, the game that dominated the genre at the time. Eventually, the game was canceled (though assets and concept art eventually leaked online).
With Destiny 2 gone and Bungie seemingly in no position to make another, the project could scoop up all those lapsed fans. Of course, there's no guarantee the project will go forward, and even if it does, it may be several years before it appears.
For now, Halo Studios is focused on Halo: Campaign Evolved, due to launch later this month. As for Hintze, he was recently accused of mismanagement.
About the author: With over two decades of experience in gaming journalism, Alessio Palumbo has led the gaming vertical at Wccftech since August 2015. He started working at a young age for Italian websites like Everyeye.it, Gamestar.it, Nextgame.it, and Multiplayer.it before kickstarting the indie English-language publication Worlds Factory as its founder and Editor in Chief. In the last decade, he has coordinated the overall output of Wccftech's gaming section, managed PR relations, assigned reviews, produced daily news coverage, edited gaming content as needed, and delivered game reviews. Arguably, his trademark content is the long series of exclusive developer interviews that have been cited by Wikipedia and by the biggest news media and gaming publications. His passion for technology also makes him knowledgeable when it comes to gaming hardware and tech. His favorite genres include RPGs, MMORPGs, and action/adventure games.
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