When pressed for comment, Rockstar emphatically stated that they “[do] not comment on rumors or specs of our future.”

Halo Waypoint has announced that Karen Traviss, bestselling author of Star Wars: Republic Commando and the Gears of War tie-in novels, will be taking on the challenge of following up Ghosts of Onyx in the next Halo novel, as part of a multi-book deal with the English writer to explore the Halo universe post-Halo 3. Tor Books, the leading publisher of Science Fiction in the world, is also set to release the first of Hugo and Nebula Award winning author Greg Bear‘s Forerunner trilogy later this year.

“Halo fiction fans are incredibly passionate about the fate of the Spartans of Onyx and the state of the Halo universe in the aftermath of the game events,” adds Frank O’Connor, 343 Industries Director of Franchise Development. “We know that Karen has the talent, skill and passion to not only bring those stories to life, but also bring her experience a fresh new perspective too.”

Reading: Not Just For Spartans

Traviss is certainly no stranger to the military. Having worked as both a journalist and defence correspondent, as well as serving in both the Territorial Army and the Royal Naval Auxiliary Service, Traviss’ works regularly feature use of accurate military acronyms, jargon, and structure, while developing believable characters and relationships.

“When I was invited to write Halo fiction I already knew it’d be right up my street; not just because military fiction is my specialty, but because there’s also huge unexplored depth, grey areas, and really uncomfortable moral dilemmas that underpin the Halo story, and that’s like catnip to a writer like me. I write what’s known as tight third person – that is, I get right inside each character’s head and see the world as they see experience it – and Halo offers some terrific chances to explore some fascinating psyches caught in complex situations.”

The Halo novel series has changed hands a few times throughout it’s 9 years of life. The first novel, The Fall of Reach, was written by Eric Nylund, novelist and professional technical writer, and was released in October 2001. Two years later,  writer and former Navy and Marine Corpsman William C Dietz’s Halo: The Flood, a tie in novel to Halo: Combat Evolved, was released. Later that year, Nylund returned to the series with Halo: First Strike, an interquel between Halo:CE and Halo 2, and followed up three years later with Halo: Ghost of Onyx. In 2007, Joseph Staten published Halo: Contact Harvest, a prequel to The Fall of Reach, and in 2008, Tobias S Buckell released Halo: The Cole Protocol.

Joe Staten(L) and Eric Nylund(R)

Nylund, Buckell, and Traviss, as well as Bungie artist and keeper of the Halo Story Bible Robt McLees and graphic novelist Fred Van Lente, among others, contributed to Halo: Evolutions, a collection of short stories from the Halo universe. Tor Books is also set to re-release the first three Halo novels (The Fall of Reach, The Flood, and First Strike) with updated artwork and content, as well as  new short stories from the Halo universe, sometime before the release of Halo: Reach on September 14th, 2010.

Full Disclosure

I am an unabashed Karen Traviss, Republic Commando, and Halo fanboy.

I, personally, have wanted a number great voices. Here’s a few of my favorites in no particular order..

1. Aaron Eckhart

Some of you may have never heard of this guy until he played Harvey Dent aka Two-Face on The Dark Knight, but that’s ok because we all fell in love with his voice. The sheer power in which he spoke caused you to pay attention.

I wanted his voice for a different reason. Thank You For Smoking. Nobody ever made smoking seem so… cool.

2. Jeremy Irons

British isn’t really my thing, but for Jeremy Irons I’ll definitely take it.

Not only was he the voice of Scar from the Lion Kings, but the man can really put on a performance. Nothing says awesome than doing a song from My Fair Lady.

(Posting this would’ve been too obvious…and this is just for me…)

3. Sam Elliot

What can I say? It’s Sam Elliot! Just listen to that voice!

You can’t deny that cowboy appeal…

4. Michael Ironside

I’ve wanted Ironside’s voice ever since I was 5 and heard him as Jester in the movie Top Gun. For him to voice Sam Fisher in one of my favorite video games series, Splinter Cell, only made him more badass. He has a glare that could stop the toughest of men, too. Very useful aid for his amazing voice.

5. Gregory Peck

For those of you who don’t know, Gregory Peck is a bit of a legend… His greatest role, in my mind, has to be of Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird. Watching the movie in school captivated me in a very profound way and his voice was always so commanding. When he spoke, I wanted to listen. That, my friends, is power.

6. James Earl Jones

It’s Darth. Fucking. Vader. Do I need to say more?

Ok, I will. He was also Mufasa, which most people I know tend to forget. Jones has an impressive list of media he’s done over the years, but he’ll always be remembered for his booming and demanding voice as Darth Vader. Nobody will ever say “Join me” better than Vader.

(For those expecting a Vader clip… well… Click)

7. Steven Blum

Alright, some of you know this guy but I will bet that most of you don’t have any clue. Steven Blum is the man behind many characters, much like Nolan North, but this man is responsible for some pretty amazing voices over the years. From Spike Spiegel of Cowboy Bebop, The Laughing Man from Ghost in the Shell, Roger Smith of Big O, Orochimaru of Naruto, The Brutes in Halo 3, and so many more. His credits list is GIGANTIC.

Oh, did I mention that he’s Wolverine? Ya, before Hugh Jackman became “The” Wolverine, it was all Blum. Awesome? Ya. I think so…

I had a few honorable mentions, but I’d rather let you guys suggest some to me. Whose voice do you wish you had? Maybe Christian Bale or Mel Gibson are more your thing… Kidding, of course.

I think this is the sort of thing we can all relate to with our constant usage of all networking sites and forums.

I can’t wait to see it. ^_^

• http://whois.domaintools.com/arkhamcity.com
• http://whois.domaintools.com/batmanarkhamcity.com
• http://whois.domaintools.com/batmanashesofgotham.com
• http://whois.domaintools.com/batmanbrokenground.com
• http://whois.domaintools.com/batmannewarkham.com
• http://whois.domaintools.com/batmangranddelusion.com
• http://whois.domaintools.com/batmanriseofarkham.com
• http://whois.domaintools.com/batmansiegeofgotham.com
• http://whois.domaintools.com/batmanstateofvillainy.com
• http://whois.domaintools.com/cityofarkham.com
• http://whois.domaintools.com/closearkhamcity.com
• http://whois.domaintools.com/peopleforgotham.com
• http://whois.domaintools.com/stopmayorsharp.com
• http://whois.domaintools.com/waringothamcity.com
• http://whois.domaintools.com/wheresbrucewayne.com

Notice anything unusual? I certainly did. They’re all about ham.

Ark Ham City.com

Batman Ark Ham City.com

Batman Newark Ham.com

Batman Rise of Ark Ham.com

Batman Siege of Got Ham.com

City of Ark Ham.com

Close Ark Ham City.com

People For Got Ham.com

War in Got Ham City.com

Coincidence? I think not.

I like to think I’m a progressive guy, and I loved the direction that Rocksteady Studios took the original game in their first major success, but I can’t see the wisdom in going with a ham heavy game concept. Don’t get me wrong, ham is great, but focusing solely on ham not only puts added pressure on ham, but it also needlessly takes credit away from other solid pork parts like bacon, spare rib, pork loin, pork chops, and the usually forgotten (unless you’re in the Deep South) Knuckles, intestines, and jowls.

Please Rocksteady. I beseech you. Reconsider what you’re doing to this game. I’d like to give you the benefit of the doubt, but honestly, after seeing these potential website locations and determining a backstory to them of my own accord has left me doubting your ability to deliver.

This post brought to you by the letter Sarcasm.

You may be wondering, what the heck is Four Tanks and a Healer? Well, it’s the new project from Larry Longstreth. Who’s that? Well, little do most of you know, Larry Longstreth is one of the men behind some of the great gaming and geek fan videos of the internet.

Here’s a sneak preview of Four Tanks and a Healer.

Many of you should remember back in 2006, the Old School Revolution that spread through the internet like wildfire. Think it still holds up? I do.

According to Longstreth

Lord of the Rings executive producer has teamed up with my crew to produce an MMORPG-based regular cartoon series in an Adult Swim style. It’s to be pitched to G4, Cartoon Network, Comedy Central, and others.

It’ll be done in September but here’s a sneak peek. Spread the word!

Spread the word indeed. It’s always nice to see somebody make it after many years of hard work and dedication. Let’s try and make this the next big thing.

Also! If you have the time, make sure to check out their other animations.

The Greatest Fan Film of all Time
Batman’s Gonna Get Shot In The Face
and Tootsie Blow Pop

The fine folks over at Rooster Teeth are the first to go mano e mano with the newest multiplayer map for the soon-to-be-release Halo Reach, a Blood Gulch/Coagulation remake. So what’s new, you might ask? Well, it’s huge…

On top of that, also showcased are two new variations of the Warthog, one clearly a rocket hog, and another that was indistinguishable upon my viewing, the brand spankin’ new Falcon, and a previously unknown armor ability, the Hologram armor, which allows you to project a duplicate of yourself to take the fire that should have been reserved for you (though don’t be surprised if that turns out to be a hoax, just sayin’, look for yourself).

Also of note, Bungie confirms they will be present at Comic-Con 2010, for those of you on the west coast. Video is embedded below. Enjoy.

Update

Just for clarification, this is a preorder, which will ship on 9/14/2010, Reach’s release date.

Of course, this comes as no major surprise to most of us. Allowing the uncontested King of Xbox to simply ride off into the sunset is just not the economical way of doing things in America, and really, did we think Microsoft would be creating 343 Industries simply to update Halo Waypoint? Not a chance.

So you think you’ve got what it takes to make a Halo game? Well put your money where your mouth is and apply over on the 343 Industries website.

Oh, and if you do get a job with 343, and I don’t get a Halo Battlefront, I will find you…