There’s been a ton of questions surrounding newly the redesigned Master Chief, which was shown at E3. Now, sources close to 343 Industries have revealed that the redesigns apart of “steps to incorporate” elements from Halo: Reach into the forth installment.

In Reach, the players used modifications — like jet packs, sprint and shields — to take on the many challenges throughout the game. However, in the original story-arch, these element weren’t present. According to these sources, in Halo 4, these elements will become apart of the original story-arch for the first time.

These sources have also revealed that the undisclosed ”lapse in time” will be used to explain the addition of these elements. With that said, it makes prefect sense that they would want to add these gameplay elements to the original story-arch. In other news, it was recently reported that the changes made to Master Chief would be “story-driven” changes.

Microsoft released the latest live-action short detailing some of the events — rather, it’s detailing some of the personal happens of planet’s inhabitants — before the impending invasion.

Though Bungie was recently acquired by Activision, the developer wholeheartedly promises to continue its support of Halo: Reach post-release. According to Bungie community director Brian Jarrard, despite the studio’s newly found commitment, it will continue to support the title.

“Microsoft still owns the Halo IP,” says Jarrard. “But, we will still support Reach post-release and we have a great relationship with our community, so we want to make sure we keep the game going.”

“I’m not exactly sure how that will eventually play out and at what point there will be a changing of the guard. But for the foreseeable future we are committed to Reach and to our community and we’re going to stand by the game like we have in the past,” he explained to Joystiq, when talking about the how it will be continued.

This support should mean, atleast, the that basic bug fixes and multiplayer tweaks; taking note of the Halo franchise’s fanbase, there will be atleast one bug exploited. However, this doesn’t mean that, Bungie are planning downloadable maps down the pipeline.

“But beyond that we will not be working on any more Halo — we will be completely focused on bringing our next universe to light,” Jarrard continued. “From there Microsoft will take the Halo universe in the direction they see fit.” Halo: Reach is currently due out in the Fall.

Sony had a very impressive 2009; however, Microsoft is seeking to gain 2010. That said, with expectations set very high on both fronts, Microsoft has added Fable III to the list of games that it will be releasing this year — something that we did see coming, seeing that Lionhead announced the game late-last year.

According to Microsoft’s CES press release, the company is looking to fill its gaming holiday release schedule with highly anticipated titles, such as Halo: Reach and Fable III. “Our holiday line-up of games includes the highly anticipated Fable III, followed by Halo Reach,” read the press release. With that in mind, Fable III is scheduled to release this holiday season on the Xbox 360.

Announced back at E3, you would think that Bungie would be willing to reveal some new information having to do with Halo: Reach, other then its genre. However, on Thursday, they gave an explanation as to why they haven’t been flashing any new information about Halo: Reach. Stating that they’re in no rush to start talking about the game with Halo 3: ODST yet to release.

“Obviously right now what we’re excited about is the impending launch of ODST, so we don’t want to totally start talking about next year’s model before this one’s even off the assembly line,” community lead Brian Jarrard explained in answer to a fan’s question about Reach gameplay footage during the Penny Arcade Expo ODST panel. “But there is a beta that’s coming next year, so all you’ve got to do is sit tight. If you want to be part of Reach from the very beginning then you want to make sure you keep an ODST disc handy.”

[Bungie not ready to talk about Reach via Eurogamer]

With its release back in 2001, Halo: Combat Evolved marked the franchise’s debut on the original Xbox. Basically, changing first person shooters. However, for more then 7 years, Bungie, its developers, have been working on building the franchise – releasing the second and third installments of the game . But, now, it seems that the developer is ready to move on.

“After Reach that’s it for us,” Bungie’s Lars Bakken told IGN. “We’re already working on a new IP that we can’t talk about yet, I don’t know when we’ll be talking about it – when we’re ready I suppose.”

Bakken was cryptic as to the nature of Bungie’s next game stating to IGN that, “If you look at Bungie’s past we’ve done a lot of different styles – first person to third person to RTS – so it could be anything.”

As you may already know, Halo 3: ODST, the next Halo title to release, is due out this September, while Halo: Reach – which goes back to the origins of the Halo story – is expected next autumn. Future Halo games will be overseen by the recently revealed 343 Industries, which is headed up by former Bungie employee Frank O’Connor.

You would’ve thought an announcement of a new Halo game would be huge news, but the reaction’s been a bit muted because many wanted to know what kind of game was it.

Now, Microsoft can at least confirm that the upcoming Halo: Reach is indeed what we wanted it to be.

Microsoft’s John Schappert has confirmed to Joystiq that “Of course, it’s an FPS”, when asked if Halo: Reach was a FPS.

[Halo: Reach is an FPS via Joystiq]