In a new interivew with GamePro, Halo 3: ODST writer and creative director Joseph Staten talks plot, gameplay and design choices for the upcoming Halo 3 expansion.
Among the many things the guy has to say, I'm most intrigued by the stuff about the Rookie's place in the overall Halo story.
Halo 3: ODST is the first Halo game to not feature a playable Master Chief. Will The Rookie ever bump into the Chief? Or see evidence of his handiwork?
No, you won't ever meet the Chief. Basically, Halo 3: ODST happens while the Chief is away from Earth — after he leaves for the "Delta Halo" in Halo 2 and before he crashes into the jungle at the start of Halo 3. ODST doesn't cover all the Chief's absence. But it does fill a very interesting part of that gap.
Is there a villain in this new storyline?
Yes, but like the Chief, the Rookie never meets him. Put that in your speculation pipe and smoke it, Halo fans!
So he never meets the Chief and never meets the villain. What exactly does this guy do for the whole game - and will there be a book on it?
Halo 3 ODST: Bungie's Joseph Staten talks Halo 3 expansion [GamePro]