Bungie reveals screenshot of upcoming project

One of the most well-loved companies in gaming is Bungie. The company is well known for its work on the Halo series, but had bowed out of its partnership with Microsoft to work on other projects. After a long period of silence, Bungie has finally shown what it has been up to in the form of a screenshot on its blog.

Not much can be gathered from the screenshot, other than it will employ some form of mechs that have insect-like features. It is also apparent that the game will take place in some sort of winter wasteland and will lean heavily towards sci-fi. The characters that can be seen on the screen are very reminiscent of the Helghast of the Killzone series, with the whole screenshot showing influences from Star Wars as well.

This is what Bungie has been up to for the last two years

Bungie departed from Microsoft after Halo Reach, after which 343 Industries took over the development of the series. Bungie is also known among its fans for lesser-known but critically acclaimed titles such as the Marathon series and Oni. The latest game in the Halo series was 343’s Halo 4. Recently, the release dates for the Halo 4 DLC were leaked. According to the leak, the Crimson Pack is going to be released on December 10, the Majestic Pack on February 25, and the Castle Pack on April 1.

Microsoft has confirmed that while the months are accurate, the dates may be changed. According to Microsoft, "Halo 4 War Games Map Packs will become available in December, February and April. The exact release dates are pending the production schedule for each map pack, but we look forward to sharing more details in due time."

The War Games Map Pass was revealed back on October. The Map pass costs $25 (approximately Rs 1,341) and will include nine maps in total that will be released between December 2012 and April 2013. The map packs are set to cost $10 (approximately Rs 536) individually. An added bonus for those who purchase the Maps Pass is the inclusion of two in-game helmets called the Scanner and the Strider, and an in-game emblem – the Falcon. The Map Pass will be included in the limited edition of Halo 4.

Developed by 343 Industries, Halo 4 marks the dawn of a new game series, the Reclaimer Saga, centred on the Master Chief as he  faces an ancient evil and a deadly new class of technologically advanced foes — the Prometheans. Master Chief sets out on an emotional journey fraught with personal demons and the most daunting challenges he’s ever faced. Featuring a darker and more personal story that reintroduces the iconic hero as a genuinely human character, Halo 4 sets players on a sci-fi voyage that will span the next decade of Halo games, across a three part trilogy.

Halo 4 also introduces the game's downloadable Spartan Ops mode. In this mode, as many as four gamers at a time can play through episodes around the Spartan Soldiers on board UNSC Infinity and their fight with the Prometheans. These episodes, divided into chapters, will be available for free download every week.