Bungie Developing an Action RPG?

So last week we learned that Activision has signed a 10-year deal with Bungie to create an all-new franchise, though no specifics were given as to what sort of theme or genre the Halo creators would pursue. However, based on the wording available in the descriptions of Bungie’s most recent job openings, GameSpot seems to think that it’s going to be an action RPG of some kind:

Few details were made available about the new game other than it would be an “action” title. Now, job listings on the official Bungie Web site have revealed its storyline will be more complex than the Halo series. The studio is currently hiring a writing lead to help craft its “next game universe,” and is especially interested in scribes with “branching or non-linear narrative experience.”

Though Halo 3: ODST experimented with flashbacks, all Halo games have had a fairly linear storyline. The fact Bungie’s next title will have a branching plot indicates it could be an action role-playing game along the lines of Mass Effect 2 or the original Deus Ex.

Another sign pointing towards an action RPG is the fact Bungie is also hiring a “Player Investment Designer” to create “worlds imbued with real value and consequence” and “give players long-term goals to invest them in the world and their character.” Long-term character development and storylines that deliver consequences for players’ actions are hallmarks of role-playing games.

I’ll take an RPG hybrid over another vanilla shooter any day. Thanks, RPGWatch.