Master Chief, Cortana's roles in Halo 4 detailed

Halo 4 is the start of a new trilogy, and 343's Frank O'Connor has detailed some of the character plot points to expect from our two main protagonists.

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We know that Halo 4 is the start of a new trilogy focused on the Forerunners, but Master Chief's own role in the conflict has been given a bit more detail now. Apparently the hero has been set adrift for quite a while, and Cortana's long life is beginning to catch up with her.

"There's some fairly radical modifications to his armor" 343's Frank O'Connor told Xbox World (via CVG). "Some of those are an artistic evolution, but some are connected to the story. We just can't talk about it yet. He's been in space for a long time."

Meanwhile, Cortana will be in danger again, this time from her own expiration date. "Seven years is the lifespan for a smart AI before it enters a state called rampancy," O'Connor said. "Cortana was getting close to the end of her natural lifespan at the end of Halo 3 but she has been exposed to far more information than any other AI in existence. She's going to develop some muscle from that process but it also contributes to her rampancy - that much information makes things worse."

In general terms, these story hooks add color to the overall plot regarding the Forerunners. O'Connor says he wants this trilogy to bring back "the sense of wonder and mystery. We're definitely going back to that air of exploration, and putting in some surprises that I think people will like."

Halo 4, the first entry in the new trilogy, will hit in 2012.

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From The Chatty
  • reply
    December 2, 2011 12:00 PM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, Master Chief, Cortana's roles in Halo 4 detailed.

    Halo 4 is the start of a new trilogy, and 343's Frank O'Connor has detailed some of the character plot points to expect from our two main protagonists.

    • reply
      December 2, 2011 12:33 PM

      I've enjoyed the Halo story so far. I hope that 343 continues the trend.

    • reply
      December 2, 2011 3:06 PM

      all this talk about Rampancy and it isn't a Marathon game.. it's not even Bungie :(

      • reply
        December 2, 2011 3:22 PM

        I thought Bungie always saying that was just trolling

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