http://www.oxm.co.uk/article.php?id=17436

Microsoft has taken on developers from the recently-closed EA Pandemic, presumably to work on its upcoming Halo titles.

The news came, as so much does these days, via Twitter. Specifically, the account of Scott Warner, Lead Designer on the Halo team at 343 Industries.

"Tom french and rob davis, two fine ex-pandemic designers, started at mgs today," he said.

Scott was probably Tweeting just to see if anybody would pick up on it. We'd hate to disappoint him.

Tom French was the media frontman for Pandemic's swansong, The Saboteur, which Davis also worked on. Presumably both are now working on Halo releases for 343, the company Microsoft set up to look after all things Halo after Bungie went independent.

Its first output has been Xbox Live hub Halo Waypoint and the Halo Legends DVD, which we recently discussed with ex-Bungie man Frank O'Connor, but it's also working on the next generation of Halo games to release post-Reach.

The remains of Pandemic have been absorbed into EA LA, where a Mercenaries MMO is currently in pre-production.

MS keeps beefing up their ranks.

Proof that Halo may be going more sandbox in the future?

It may be going for that,but that's not proof one way are the other.

You think with all the money Microsoft has they could hire some good developers...

Pandemic has only done sandbox games this gen... I agree it isn't proof, but more of a hint.

TBH without further information, they could have joined any of Microsofts studios.

mercs MMO.... fuck you EA.... really first screwing with C&C so it has to be online all the time and now this. im getting to the point where i actually want you gone for all the studios that i have loved and you have killed for all the series you ran into the ground with poor management and over site meddling with the games while in development.

i could defend you at one point though it hurt, and if the last mercs which i have no doubt your need for purchasable dlc crippled the game, along with most likely horrid changes pushed down on the game.. i hate to say im glad it did not due better or we would have had to cough up more money for it. it just amazes me how developers have better ideas and really better games till you get involved



oh and on topic good for the pandemic boys to find work, not sure how this will effect halo, but many pandemic games were great before ea bough the studio so still have some faith in them

Bungie hired someone from the Rainbow Six series, but Reach isn't a squad shooter

lol. are you sure? I see 5 spartans around when I see reach footage...

Hmm, this is getting interesting. I'm a bit fearful of what Halo may turn out to be with 343 behind the helm, but with what they've done so far, and the talent they've picked up, i have faith in their efforts.