Veteran Bungie developer Joe Staten has announced his departure from the company.

Staten is best known for writing the Halo series and, most recently, Destiny, due out next year.

He has also worked on Halo spin-off properties, and wrote 2007 Halo novel Halo: Contact Harvest.

"After fifteen great years at Bungie, from the battlefields of Myth to the mysteries of Halo and beyond, I'm leaving to tackle new creative challenges," he wrote in a farewell letter to the Bungie community.

"While this may come as a surprise, fear not. It's been my pleasure building Destiny these past four years, and after the big reveal this summer, our hugely talented team is on track for greatness.

"I'll be cheering all of them, with all of you, when the game launches next year. Thank you for your support of me, and your continued support of Bungie. We couldn't have done it without you."

Bungie community manager David Dague praised Staten for his accomplishments.

"Every day, we get to do what we love in an amazing place, alongside people we respect and admire," he said. "No one embodies that more than Joseph Staten. Few have contributed as much to our success.

"To that end, it is with no small degree of sadness that we say 'Godspeed' to more than just a Grizzled Ancient, but an old, dear friend. And it is with no small degree of delight and intrigue that we imagine what worlds he might take us to next."