Bungie Writer Steps Up for Fifth Halo Novel

Logan Frederick

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Bungie Writer Steps Up for Fifth Halo Novel



Bungie writer Joseph Staten set to produce a fifth Halo novel.

Joseph Staten, a writer for Bungie's Halo series, has been selected [http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&cid=12430] to write Halo: Contact Harvest, the fifth Halo novel. Set for release this fall, Contact Harvest follows the story of humanity's first contact with the Covenant and the life of a young UNSC Staff Sergeant named Avery Johnson. Staten confirmed that the Spartans won't appear in the book, but some major characters from the games will make cameo appearances.

When asked about continuing a series started by Eric Nylund and William Dietz, Staten replied, "Given that this is my first book, I'm pretty nervous about anyone reading it. The world where it actually turns out to be an OK read and lots of people pick it up? That scares the -blam!- out of me."

Staten discussed the expansion of the Halo universe through new games, movies and books. "As long as we don't outstrip our ability to manage the process - to make smart choices about the projects we pursue - I think any expansion is terrific. Inviting outside writers and artists into the Halo universe has forced us to put our canonical house in order (so we can offer good direction). And from a personal motivation point-of-view, knowing Peter Jackson, for example, is going to read one of my story treatments definitely lights an improving fire under my prose."

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Geoffrey42

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Not to be picky, (though somewhat ashamed), I'm currently reading the 4th Halo novel. "How can this be?" you might ask, if Joseph Staten hasn't written it yet.

Well, that's because the 4th novel is Ghosts of Onyx by Eric Nylund, at least, I think. Maybe I'm just out of whack with the space-time continuum. Who knows?

Edit: Nyland = Nylund
 

Narcogen

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Geoffrey42 said:
Not to be picky, (though somewhat ashamed), I'm currently reading the 4th Halo novel. "How can this be?" you might ask, if Joseph Staten hasn't written it yet.

Well, that's because the 4th novel is Ghosts of Onyx by Eric Nyland, at least, I think. Maybe I'm just out of whack with the space-time continuum. Who knows?
You're correct, there have already been four. Fall of Reach by Nylund, The Flood by Dietz, and then First Strike and Ghosts of Onyx, both by Nylund.

Perhaps people are just forgetting Dietz' adaptation of Halo 1, The Flood. I myself found it easily the weakest of the three, but perhaps that's not Dietz's fault; Nylund himself felt it was a no-win situation writing a straight-up adaptation of the events of the game.
 

Geoffrey42

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I think we're all well aware of the nightmares produced when game-to-book adaptations arise (see http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2007/04/27 ). But, (again ashamedly) having read The Flood, he did a fair job of not writing the game verbatim. There's more flesh to the story in his treatment, and all in all it was a decent read, if a bit like cotton candy. I mean, it LOOKS like there's a lot of stuff there. But once you sink into it, it all begins to melt away, and by the time you're done, you're not all that full.

And then, of course, you develop type II diabeetus and die, a few extremities short of a picnic.
 

stompy

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Gah, this stupid reply button.

Regardless, I've yet to read the novels, but I plan to someday. Just waiting to find it in a library or mooch off some friends or something.
 

ccesarano

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Personally I wouldn't bother, but no one else seems to think the books are as horrid as I do.

Which is funny considering how much I love the games....then again, I also think they fucked up the story in number three, so....
 

L.B. Jeffries

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The only video game to book series I ever enjoyed was Michael Stacpoole's Rogue Squadron series. That guy can write a space battle like nobody's business. The other books I tried just turned into fan-nonsense.
 

Arbre

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L.B. Jeffries said:
The only video game to book series I ever enjoyed was Michael Stacpoole's Rogue Squadron series. That guy can write a space battle like nobody's business. The other books I tried just turned into fan-nonsense.
Seconded. But Halo books have more believable renditions of space battle than your average TV pulp.