Halo co-creator announces new multimedia gaming project

Spectrum MediaWorks, the company co-founded by former Bungie Studios Boss and co-creator of Halo, Alex Seropian, has announced a new project which aims to merge player interaction on multiple platforms - including next-generation games consoles, the Internet, television and mobile phones.

X Quest is being developed as both a reality-television show and massively multiplayer online game where events in the show will influence activity in the game universe, and vice versa. The game will be set in the not too distant future, and will be based around real world cutting edge technologies.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the TV show, which is being developed by Ron Howard's production company, will follow the adventures of two teams - each made up of seven members - as they spend a month completing special missions whilst inside a "space simulator". X Quest players will be able to interact with them, and Seropian hopes that future series of the show star X Quest gamers.

"Entertainment convergence is something that has been talked about for a long time, but the multiple media distribution pipes are now in place to create properties that can work on multiple levels," Seropian told the Hollywood Reporter.

The unique platform convergence extends beyond the TV/game model in this instance, as Spectrum confirms that interaction and influence for the show can be achieved by playing the PS3 and Xbox 360 console games, through the Internet and via mobile phones. Little more is known at this stage regarding the exact details of how the project will be extended to the wireless market, although further information and details are expected over the coming months.

X Quest is scheduled for release during the first half of 2007.