Halo Lead MP Designer Leaves Bungie

For everyone who raves about Halo’s multiplayer, an announcement today from Bungie could potentially affect Halo 3’s multiplayer functionality...

Max Oberman who was the lead developer on Halo 2 and Halo 3’s multiplayer engine has chosen to leave Bungie after 10 years. Oberman has decided to form a new company called Certain Affinity based out of Austin, TX. His company will, no doubt, be one to watch in the future for amazing multiplayer console games. Their first Xbox 360 game will be announced sometime next year.

In an official statement, Oberman said “What we've accomplished with Halo 3 is extraordinary," Hoberman said. "Halo 2 turned the online world on its head, but Halo 3 is going to rip its head right off. I am proud of my contribution to the Halo series and have learned a lot from my friends at Bungie."

In another statement, Oberman indicates that Certain Affinity will continue to work with Microsoft and Bungie, “We're not setting out to change the industry," says Hoberman. "We're creating games by choosing strong leaders, talented and experienced developers, and solid partners. This partnership with Bungie and Microsoft Game Studios is a piece of that puzzle and we hope it's the start of a long and fruitful relationship."

Bungie has also released an official statement that says, “After 10 years at Bungie, Hoberman is leaving in the wake of a remarkable string of achievements and maintains a strong relationship with the studio. He spent the first year and a half on Halo 3 developing a solid foundation for the multiplayer and online game, and building a team able to carry the project through to completion. “

Hopefully, Oberman’s departure won’t alter the release date of Halo 3 or in some we degrade the multiplayer aspect. Many Xbox players consider the Halo series to be the pinnacle of what multiplayer should be which is why Halo 2 has dominated the top spot on the Xbox Live top game list since it’s release in Nov. 2004. It was only recently toppled after holding that top spot for 2 years by Gears of War.

source: teamxbox.com