Former Destiny design director Joseph Staten returns to Microsoft
Joseph Staten, original holder of the Halo Bible and design director at Bungie, has returned to Microsoft, according to his LinkedIn profile page. In September, Bungie announced Staten was exiting his role as design director on Destiny; leaving the company after 15 years of service to tackle "new creative challenges." Bungie is set to launch its next franchise, a ten-year plan called Destiny, with Activision as its publishing partner later this year.
According to Staten's LinkedIn profile, his new role at Microsoft Studios will be as Senior Creative Director.
In a statement to Joystiq, Microsoft noted that Staten's role will be to shape the "franchise strategy for some Microsoft Studios titles." The publisher also clarified that Staten "is not working directly on the next Halo title." The Halo franchise is continuing in a new direction with developer 343 Industries at the helm.
"We're thrilled to welcome Joseph back to the Microsoft Studios family. Over the past 15 years at Bungie, Joseph has been a key creative force behind some of gaming's most iconic and celebrated franchises, including Myth II, ONI and virtually every "Halo" game leading up to Halo: Reach." Microsoft's prepared statement said. "As a senior creative director, Joseph will help create the world's best entertainment on Xbox."
