Chatting last week at the Penny Expo stateside, Bungie's Brian Jarrard found himself having to dodge questions on - stating that the developer won't discuss their next creation until after 3: ODST is complete.

"Obviously right now what we're excited about is the impending launch of ODST, so we don't want to totally start talking about next year's model before this one's even off the assembly line," the game maker is quoted by Eurogamer as explaining.

"But there is a beta that's coming next year, so all you've got to do is sit tight. If you want to be part of Reach from the very beginning then you want to make sure you keep an ODST disc handy."

Meanwhile, say they aren't sure whether for ODST will be offered but that something based on Firefight co-op mode is under consideration.

By Luke Guttridge