There have been some seriously mixed signals about the future of the Halo franchise once Halo 3 drops this fall. Apparently, it's the end of Bungie's trilogy that started on the original Xbox, but we're still anticipating Halo Wars from Ensemble Studios and a spin-off spearheaded by filmmaker Peter Jackson. Does Halo 3 mean the removal of Bungie from the franchise's lead, or simply the end of Master Chief?

The head of Microsoft Game Studios, Shane Kim, doesn't make the situation much clearer in an interview with The Mercury News.

"I think what we have built is an amazing universe with Halo. There are more stories to tell in the Halo universe. We are building a real-time strategy game with Ensemble Studios. That is going to be very successful when you combine their expertise in that genre with the amazing back story of Halo. So I do agree that I think the universe itself will support a lot more. [1UP's emphasis] With respect to this story, Bungie has been very clear. This is the end of the Halo trilogy. Master Chief is here to finish the fight."

Halo is too much of a cash cow shooter franchise for Microsoft to toss aside because the original story arc has come full circle -- but what's next?