When opted to cancel Ensemble's secret MMO, that marked the end of the road for the veteran developer, or so contends a new report on Gamasutra this morning.

The Halo release, codenamed Titan and Orion during development, was to be Ensemble's "focus" following the release of Halo Wars. This hope did of course collapse when Microsoft canceled the project, pouring salt in the wound by confirming the studio's closure.

Prior to Microsoft's decision, had in fact been planning to build a new studio on their campus, where the game would be developed, the studio having plotted a "sci-fi MMO" of some kind since way back in 1998.

Halo Wars will be released later this month, while Microsoft continue to wind-down Ensemble.

By Luke Guttridge