Halo 3: ODST is doing darn well for a title first conceived as an expansion pack, and Microsoft can most certainly thank the pedigree of the Halo franchise for the estimated 2.5 million units which the Xbox 360 game has already scored in sales.  The Halo franchise will continue to be of great importance to Microsoft, such that the console giant has established a new subsidiary dedicated solely to the development and betterment of all things Halo, 343 Industries.

Series fans will know that 343 Industries is already gunning for an anime feature film, titled "Halo Legends".  Speaking to USA Today, 343 Industries' creative director Frank O'Connor confirms that Halo-branded projects and merchandise will continue to play largely in their operations.  Indeed, O'Connor believes they'll be sitting on the Halo franchise for at least another six years, so it won't fizzle anytime soon.  New Halo videogames are sure to be on the horizon, and 343 Industries certainly hasn't forgotten about the Master Chief himself.

USA Today compares this drive to further establish Halo's setting to the often controversial Star Wars "expanded universe".  We'd like to think that 343 Industries will have some degree of control over all the different Halo projects in the pipeline!  Fortunately, they fully intend on making it all tie together somehow in the end, or it just won't be the space opera Microsoft was hoping for.