Gearbox developing Halo 4?

Studio’s Randy Pitchford refuses to rule out dramatic claims that it is taking up Bungie’s mantle

In what could be the biggest development surprise for quite some time, the Halo rumour mill has suddenly turned its attention to Texan developer Gearbox who many now believe is already working on Halo 4 for Xbox 360.
When asked by Eurogamer whether one of its unannounced titles is indeed Halo 4, Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford replied “we're not going to talk about anything”, after which a PR representative reportedly terminated the interview, stating simply “we can’t talk about that”. 

In total Pitchford refused to answer the question four times.

Bungie recently admitted that once the upcoming Halo: ODST and next year’s Halo: Reach are out of the way, it is likely to step away from the cult shooting franchise.

Microsoft, however, looks unlikely to do the same – particularly after the formation of Halo production studio 343 Industries.
Gearbox is no stranger to the Halo series, having previously developed the PC edition of Halo: Combat Evolved.

It’s also a studio with a rich FPS pedigree. Along with the Brothers in Arms series, the firm has also previously worked on the Half-Life and Counter-Strike franchises and is currently developing Alien: Colonial Marines for Sega. 

I liked the pc version of halo.. so yay.

343 Industries is not a production studio, it's a division that handles all things Halo. Anyways, I don't think will see a Halo 4 because that story is done and I think we'll see a new trilogy following Halo 3. It's also more likely that Halo 4 will be handled internally, by Bungie, or peter jackson's studio than Gearbox.

Bungie don't leave us!

I really don't see Microsoft handing such a valued franchise to a third party developer. A port is one thing but to hand the developement of the franchise over to GearBox seems highly unlikely. It could be that GearBox is working with Microsoft on bringing Halo3 to PC or maybe Halo:ODST or Halo:Reach these projects would also be no talk subjects.

In short GearBox may have been asked by Microsoft not to talk about Halo. Not to mention many studio's set strict guidlines as to what they are willing to talk about and what they are not. Touching such a hot subject as Halo4 would be foolish, that doesn't nescessarily mean they are making Halo4.

Also who says Halo4 will come to 360? Chances are Microsoft has another console in the works for 2011 just like Nintendo. So with Reach coming fall 2010 theirs a good chance Halo4 will be a launch title for Microsoft's next console!

Why? Microsoft already has two internal Halo studios. And they stole two of the top developers from Gearbox. Why would they give it to them?

the story isnt finished after u beat halo 3, the ending where u see another ring in the background as the ship is drifting around in space, makes that statement, i think. also it wouldnt suprise me if halo 4 is their 2012 big holiday game, since i think gears 3 will be their 2011 game. unless they hold halo 4 for their launch title for the next xbox system.

I really see Halo 4 coming on the next Xbox console.