Bungie’s love affair with the Halo series is almost coming to an end. Having worked on the first-person shooter for many years, the developer is moving onto new pastures with a major new project in the pipeline born from a new ten year partnership with Activision.

In a final farewell on Bungie’s official blog, the developer confirms that the transitional period of passing over responsibility of the Halo IP will begin shortly.

"We'll be undergoing a metamorphosis of our own. Very soon Bungie.net will change, culminating with the launch of our next universe at some unknown time in the future. The first small steps will be taken soon, with Halo playlist management changing hands on August 2nd," reads the statement.

In the statement, Bungie says it isn’t sad about parting from the Halo series, but instead took the opportunity to praise the community for embracing it over the years.

“Some might consider the upcoming transition a bittersweet occasion punctuated by a sense of loss and sadness. We feel otherwise. Halo is in great hands…yours.”

Bungie is now hard at work on a secret new universe and a game that will span across multiple platforms.

"We owe it to ourselves to make something better than we ever have before. We owe it to you, as well," enthuses the studio. "So, this isn't a goodbye. It isn't The End. Instead, it's the very beginning of a new journey that will stretch the limits of what we are capable of. Ancient engines are now rumbling deep within the heart of our studio, and their energy will power us through the upcoming darkness "

"Like all dark times ours will be broken first by a single strand of light – a tether reaching out to bind us all together again. One day, we will awaken in a wondrous new place and we will remember just what it was that drew us together at the beginning of it all. We will look up to the heavens, and find hope."

Okay so it's all a little over the top and corny, but you can't fail to be excited by Bungie's next project. Wonder what it'll come up with next?