Bungie confirms 'three distinct projects' in the pipe

Game players and makers alike have voiced their criticism over the Entertainment Software Association's E3 2008 trade show last week. However, none seemed to be quite so disappointed with the outcome of the show as Halo creators Bungie, who abruptly canceled a teaser campaign after Microsoft said it wanted to deliver the studio's next project at "a more dedicated event."

As revealed in a post to the developer's Web site, that event most certainly will not be next month's open-to-the-public Penny Arcade Expo in Bungie's backyard, Seattle, Washington.

"For the record, we have no plans to make any big announcements or huge reveals at PAX this year," said Bungie community manager Brian Jarrard. "While we will have some Halo 3 multiplayer stuff for you to check out, this is not going to be the 'big announcement' many of our fans are clamoring for. Rest assured that when the time is right, we will be making announcements and talking about the stuff we're currently working on."

As for what "stuff" Jarrard is referring to, the Bungie representative said the studio is currently at work on three distinct projects, "some familiar, some not...some on a closer horizon, some quite far off." One of those projects is likely the rumored Master Chief-free, squad-based tactical Halo spin-off, which a source told GameSpot is "a cross between Ghost Recon and Gears of War" and has a "less cartoony, more bloody, violent, and grim" aesthetic.