Kudos to Kelstek, who posted an interesting comment mailed to Total Codex contributers by Bungie's Joseph Staten. The tidbit in question:

In case you're curious, I am going to Redmond. It's a great opportunity for me. I'll be heading up a fourth development team that will focus on creating all the cinematics for HALO and future titles. If you enjoyed the stuff Marty and I put together in the last year or so, just wait 'til you see what we've got up our sleeves. Metal Gear Solid 2 eat your heart out.

Head to head with MGS2? A pretty tall order, but there doesn't seem to by anything holding Halo back from that goal. Should be interesting to see how it comes along... and how Halo competes with the PS2's golden action title.