I'm pretty excited that Max Hoberman has returned to Austin to found a new game studio, Certain Affinity. Max was at Bungie for 10 years, and "was the multiplayer, user interface, and online lead for Halo 2 and Halo 3, responsible for maps, gameplay, and the entire online system, including features like the party system, matchmaking, and much more."
Given I'd argue Halo 2 has the best integrated online (outside of co-op) experience out there (on now-gen or last-gen systems), this is a big deal.
It looks like Certain Affinity has kept a good relationship with Bungie, and they'll actually be the ones creating the new multiplayer maps for Halo 2 announced as being released this spring.
And they'll be working on new Xbox 360 stuff, to be announced later.
On the rumor front, I've now heard from a number of places Electronic Arts is looking to open an Austin studio. A large Austin studio. That would be cool, and they'd certainly have access to a large pool of technical, managerial, and artistic folks.
And people like me, who are an amazingly freakish mix of all three.
Interesting, since EA bought -- then shuttered -- Origin in Austin.
Anyway, good for Austin ...
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