Activision Takes Over Development of Next Halo Game Amid Microsoft Restructuring
- Halo Studios has ceded development of the next Halo game to Activision.
- This transition occurs alongside the elimination of 268 positions within Halo Studios and other divisions.
- Activision aims to create the “greatest Halo game ever,” led by a newly formed team.
Halo Studios, previously known as 343 Industries, will not be developing the next mainline Halo game as it undergoes a significant downsizing. Microsoft has handed the development responsibilities to Activision, which is establishing a separate team dedicated exclusively to the Halo franchise, independent of its ongoing Call of Duty projects.
Xbox Studios head Matt Booty announced, “We are eliminating 268 roles across Halo Studios, other first-party studios, and the XGS management and central functions layer.” He added that a small team at Halo Studios would continue to support the existing Halo community and games currently in the market.
Rob Kostich, president of Activision, shared enthusiasm about the transition in a statement to Kotaku, saying, “We’re thrilled to welcome Halo, Rare, and World’s Edge to Activision.” Kostich highlighted the significance of this responsibility, noting that these “teams and their games have inspired fans around the world for decades.”
“For Halo, our goal is clear: make the greatest Halo game ever, worthy of its universe and legacy, while staying true to what made players love it in the first place,” Kostich emphasized. He expressed confidence in the newly assembled team, which is said to possess unique capabilities and talent, ready to redefine the franchise’s future.
This restructuring is part of a broader wave of changes at Microsoft, which has resulted in hundreds of job losses. It also includes the recent closure of British studio Ninja Theory while integrating other studios such as Obsidian and Rare into larger operations.
The Halo franchise, originally created by Bungie, has been managed by 343 Industries/Halo Studios since Bungie gained independence from Microsoft in 2007. Rebranding in 2024, Halo Studios has produced several mainline games, including Halo 4 (2012), Halo 5: Guardians (2015), Halo Infinite (2021), and most recently, the remake of Halo 1, titled Halo: Campaign Evolved.
The studio has also worked on several related projects, such as the 2014 release of Halo: The Master Chief Collection and the Halo Wars series. This recent development marks a pivotal shift for the Halo series, positioning Activision at the forefront of its future evolution.
News Courtesy of Eurogamer
