Since ending its partnership with Microsoft making Halo games and cozying up with Activision, Bungie finally revealed its next project. The game, which is currently being designed for Xbox 360 and PS3 with an undisclosed post-2013 release date, is called Destiny and it’s a bold, new first person shooter with MMO tendencies. Bungie hasn’t shown all its cards yet, only releasing some concept art and a short video documentary that peels back a thin layer on the new adventure it’s cooking up.

The company offers up this brief bit of background:

Everything changed with the arrival of the Traveler. It sparked a Golden Age when our civilization spanned the solar system, but it didn’t last. Something hit us, knocked us down. The survivors built a city beneath the Traveler, and have begun to explore our old worlds, only to find them filled with deadly foes. You are a Guardian of the last safe city on Earth, able to wield incredible power. Defend the City. Defeat our enemies. Reclaim all that we have lost. Be brave.

Joystiq reports that Destiny will require gamers to have an always-on Internet connection in order to play. The game comes built with quests and an overarching story, but what Destiny is truly about is bringing gamers together and creating an online community where the players decide which direction their customizable avatars traverse inside the massive new universe built by Bungie. ”The most important stories we tell won’t be told by us,” admits Bungie’s Joseph Staten said. “They’ll be told by players. Personal legends built from shared adventures.”

Since Bungie is still keeping in the lid on more plot details and character classes, upgrades, and customizations, you’ll have to satiate your hunger for this exciting new title by checking out the concept art below and watching the epic “reveal trailer” that’s embedded after the break.

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At last, Microsoft has set a date for the return of Xbox’s hero Master Chief. Halo 4 drops November 6, 2012. In a press release (in full after the break) Microsoft and new game developer 343 Industries spilled some details on franchise’s long-awaited comeback. “Set four years after the events in “Halo 3,” Master Chief returns to confront his destiny and face an ancient evil that threatens the fate of the entire universe,” reads the release. “”Halo 3,” the biggest consumer product launch of all time when it released in 2007, concluded the original game trilogy, but left many unanswered questions around the fates of the series’ beloved hero, the Master Chief, and his artificial intelligence companion, Cortana. On Nov. 6, fans will experience the next chapter of the iconic franchise.”

Microsoft’s Phil Spencer is quoted: “We are beginning a new saga with ‘Halo 4′ and embarking on a journey that will encompass the next decade of ‘Halo’ games and experiences. Millions of fans worldwide have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to step back into the boots of Master Chief, and, with ‘Halo 4′ leading the charge, we’re confident 2012 will be the most successful year in Xbox history.”

It still hasn’t been determined what or who exactly John-117 will battle against in the next-gen first person shooter, but whatever it is I’m amped. Unless it’s The Flood again, cuz that would suck. Other Halo factoids… orignal game composer Marty O’Donnell is out (what a bummer!) and former Massive Attack member Neil Davidge has taken over the important role. Orchestrator Matt Dunkley explained to Edge: “We respect absolutely what [O'Donnell] did, and obviously these iconic themes are very close to gamers’ hearts. So we all listened to what he’d done, and I think you’ll always be on a hiding to nothing if you’re trying to pastiche that. Instead, we wanted to take that to another level. Hopefully the Halo fans will see that we’re being respectful, but we’ve also taken it somewhere else, and maybe onto a higher plane. If you’re always trying to reference back, you’re not creating new things.”

Jump after the break to get a behind the scenes look at the audio composition behind the game as well as soundtrack samples. In somewhat related news, 343 Industries invited late-night talk show host Conan O’Brien to their studio; watch the fun unfold after the break. Below, concept art.

November 6, are you here yet?

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[Via Joystiq 1, 2, 3, 4; AllGamesBeta] (Click here for more…)

This week images of the next two Avengers have leaked into the wild.  First there’s Thor the Norse god who wields the Mjolner hammer.  (If you have not seen Iron Man 2 yet, make sure you stay for the credits for a sneak peek of said hammer.)  If you are doubting that this image of Thor is real, just compare it to the official still of Chris Hemsworth as Thor outed by Marvel a few weeks ago.  The concept image matches up pretty well if you ask me.  Thor is expected to hit theatres May 6, 2011.

Next we have the first (ever) image of what Chris Evans will look like as Captain America, the first Avenger.  And you know what, he’s looking pretty bad-ass.  From the mask to the sheild (which was also hinted at in Iron Man 2), the suspenders, and the kevlar red-white-and-blue retro-fitted suit, Cap appears ready for the big screen.  Captain America: The First Avenger, directed by Joe Johnston, is expected to hit theatres July 22, 2011.

Look in the gallery below for more concept images of Thor and Captain America.

[Via Collider; AintItCoolNews]