Boy, it seems like only yesterday we heard about Microsoft's exciting, new collaboration with Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson -- a collaboration that would send shockwaves through the Halo universe greater than those of even the titular angel hat itself. But that announcement took place at X06, and now, here we sit in 2008, with nary a peep or whisper from anyone working on the potentially phenomenal project.

Well, sit no more, because MTV Multiplayer clandestinely jackhammered their way to the bottom of Microsoft Game Studios' website, and a well of information sprang forth.

Most noticeably, the MTV crew discovered several job listings at Microsoft's website -- game-related, of course -- which prompted their speculation. One such listing is for a Creative Director who will have the opportunity to "partner with key Hollywood talent to collaboratively craft a masterful game experience" and "collaborate with game play designers, story writers, game writers, and said external luminary to deliver on a unique game in the Halo universe."

External luminary, huh? But that could be anyone! Or not. If you simply remove every other person in Hollywood who's not Peter Jackson, it becomes obvious that this luminary is, in fact, Peter Jackson*.

And while Peter Jackson's involvement will certainly bring a fresh, if not overly hairy, perspective to the game, Jackson won't be the only fresh face working on this new game. Remember, Bungie's off doing their own thing now, after having been trapped in the crossfire between ol' Chief and the Covies since the late ninties. These job listings come straight from Microsoft, who, I might add, no longer owns Bungie. Bungie is apparently involved with the project, but they're definitely not down in the development trenches as they were with the rest of the series.

So, what do we know for sure? Peter Jackson is involved, Microsoft is backing him, and Halo: Chronicles (codename) isn't vaporware yet, although I can just barely see a few steamy droplets beginning to form on its outer surface. Also, just because Microsoft is soliciting for new staff, that doesn't mean Chronicles is early in development. A Microsoft spokesperson, after confirming MTV's speculations about Halo: Chronicles, notified MTV that Microsoft saw fit to expand the Halo: Chronicles team at this point in time. They've been in development since the project was announced at X06.

With any luck, we'll hear more about this promising title when E3 blows into town this July. Unfortunately, I doubt we'll be piloting Master Chief through swathes of orcs and balrogs whatever Peter Jackson's cooking up for him until 2009. After all, Halo Wars needs its breathing room.

*Note that other evidence (the X06 announcement, Microsoft's confirmation) lend credence to this assumption as well.