Ensemble’s Canceled Project Was Halo MMORPG

Since the announcement that Microsoft will be closing Ensemble Studios, Gamasutra has learned that the Age of Empires developer was working on a Halo MMORPG in 2006 and 2007.

Gamasutra has discovered that a now-canceled Halo MMO was in development at the studio, unearthing prototype UI and level screenshots of the Ensemble-developed project.

The prototype art, which was at one point made available on an Ensemble-linked online artist portfolio website, further confirms previous rumors that the studio was working on an MMO based on the Bungie-created sci-fi franchise.

Notable, rumors reported in Game Informer magazine in early 2006 claimed that Bungie and Ensemble were teaming up to make a Halo-themed MMO. And, although it was not clear that it was Halo-specific, websites such as 1UP did point out that Ensemble was hiring for an MMO project as early as April 2006.

This UI mockup suggests that the game would have basically been a sci-fi version of EverQuest or World of Warcraft.