Microsoft's goal for the Halo franchise is to make the long-running sci-fi FPS series last at least another 30 years, according to 343 Industries general manager Bonnie Ross. In a new interview with Bloomberg, Ross revealed the figure and recalled the difficult process of getting the studio up and running, calling it "the most challenging thing I've ever done."

Ross went on to say that diversity was a focus in the formation of 343 Industries, and part of her goal for the studio was to ensure that Halo had "characters that people can identity [with]: heroic females and heroic males."

Bonnie Ross

"It's really important for us to get young female talent, because they are the future," Ross said, explaining that having women in key roles will help attract others to the field. "It's important to have leadership roles across the industry that people can aspire to."

At the time of 343 Industries' formation in 2007, the Halo series--which debuted in 2001--was already six years old. Ross said, "I wanted to make sure we were able to go another three decades."

Three decades on from 2007 would be 2037. We've since spoken with Microsoft and confirmed that Ross' "three decades" comment relates to 343 as a studio and the Halo franchise itself.

Ross didn't speak about how specifically Microsoft and 343 Industries--which handles Halo games and all other media and brand extensions--plan to support Halo for the duration of those years, though you can expect more games beyond 2015's Halo 5: Guardians for Xbox One.

That game was originally part of the Reclaimer Trilogy, which would have spanned Halo 4-6. However, Microsoft confirmed in 2013 that it's no longer referring to the new series as a trilogy, but rather a "saga."

"While we originally said trilogy, we've actually expanded this to more of a saga, so we don't want to limit the Reclaimer story within a trilogy," Microsoft said at the time.

Ross has also come out to say that she hopes 343 can some day get away from numbered Halo releases, another suggestion that we may see more spinoffs of the Halo series in the future.

Outside of games, Microsoft recently released digital series Halo: Nightfall from producer Ridley Scott, while the company is also teaming up with Steven Spielberg for a new Halo TV series. And while Microsoft has no official plans to resuscitate the failed Halo movie, that film's one-time director--Neill Blomkamp--says he is still interested in working in that universe.