Looks like Bungie plans on converting people into Bungie fans one step at a time. The first step? Well, if Electronic Gaming Monthly's Quarterman is to be believed, Bungie's next game will take the "F" out of "FPS" in Halo's genre description.

And while this rumored Halo title will certainly be a "person shooter" to some extent, it's also going rip the camera out of your eyes and give it to a lakitu who'll remain a few feet behind you at all times. Apparently, the game will be a third-person action/shooter hybrid -- quite a departure for Master Chief and friends.

Actually, make that "quite a departure of Master Chief and friends," as the rumored title looks to be a prequel as sorts, following the mad-cap battles between ODST (Orbital Drop Shock Troopers) and the Covenant.

EGM predicts a late 2009 release date for Bungie's latest, and a big reveal this fall after Gears of War 2 makes its megaton splash.

To be frank, while I love the idea of a third-person, probably squad-based romp through the Halo universe, I can't help but wish it did focus on everyone's favorite plastic-y green hero. More specifically, I think a squad-based shooter set during Master Chief's early years as a Spartan -- straight out of Halo: Fall of Reach -- could really fulfill my nerdy fantasies rock. Can you imagine leading an adept team of Spartans -- each with their own personality -- on all kinds of spec ops missions? I'd buy it in an instant.

Oh well, as long as Bungie's new jaunt through Master Chief's stomping grounds fares better than Call of Duty's aborted mission, I imagine things will turn out ok.