Bungie is once again pledging to step away from Microsoft's mammoth franchise once work is complete on Halo: Reach, but questions abound as to whether the developer will really step back from its baby.

Interviewed on Kotaku, community director Brian Jarrard proclaimed that would be the last instalment in the franchise helmed by Bungie.

For all intents and purposes this will be Bungie's final Halo game. I don't think we should never say never, but I can definitively say that the game that comes out after Halo from will be a brand new universe, a brand new experience."

The fact that Jarrard leaves the possibility open hints at a Hideo Kojima-style switcheroo. Konami's illustrious game designer has frequently promised to leave the series, yet always involves himself in new instalments.

By Tracy Erickson