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Halo Studios didn't have the chance to launch even one original title before Xbox decided to let Call of Duty…
Microsoft has shut down Halo Studios (formerly 343 Industries) after 268 layoffs, with the Halo franchise now being transferred to Activision. The studio never launched an original title, only a remake of Halo: Campaign Evolved, before its closure. This move is part of broader restructuring within Xbox Game Studios, which has seen significant cuts across multiple developers.
Call Of Duty creators Activision to make next Halo game as Xbox confirm layoffs
Microsoft has confirmed significant layoffs and studio restructuring within its Xbox division, including the closure of Ninja Theory. Activision will now develop the next Halo game, while 343 Industries will focus on supporting existing titles. This move comes amidst broader industry trends of layoffs and consolidation, with other studios like Rare and Bethesda also undergoing shifts in oversight.
Activision will develop the next Halo game
Xbox has restructured its Halo studios, rebranding 343 Industries as Halo Studios and pivoting its focus to community support. Activision will now develop the next Halo title. This change accompanies significant layoffs within Xbox's gaming divisions.
Xbox's consolidation plans might mean you get a new Halo sooner, but history shows production line development makes for boring games
Xbox's strategy of consolidating studios and pushing for more frequent releases, exemplified by the Activision Blizzard acquisition and changes to the Halo team, risks creating a future of formulaic and uninspired games. The author argues that while such consolidation might seem efficient, history shows that annual releases and a focus on existing franchises often stifle creativity and lead to a homogenization of game design, potentially resulting in a less exciting gaming landscape.
Activision prepares to "make the greatest Halo game ever" as it takes control of the franchise from Halo…
Xbox has announced a significant restructuring of its first-party studios, transferring stewardship of the Halo franchise from 343 Industries to Activision Blizzard. Rare and World's Edge will also operate under Activision Blizzard, impacting franchises like Sea of Thieves and Age of Empires. This move involves substantial layoffs and a new team being assembled to develop the next Halo game, with a stated goal to "make the greatest Halo game ever."
Next major Halo game being developed by Activision, as Halo Studios all but closes as part of Microsoft's Xbox restructuring
Microsoft has significantly restructured its Xbox division, leading to the closure of Halo Studios and the reduction of its staff. Development of the next mainline Halo game has been handed over to Activision, which will create a new team separate from Call of Duty for the project. This move is part of broader layoffs and studio consolidations within Microsoft.
Xbox transfers Rare and Halo franchise to Activision, proposes closure of Ninja Theory and confirms another 268 roles cut amid studio restructure
Xbox has announced a significant restructuring, transferring Rare and the Halo franchise to Activision, and proposing the closure of Ninja Theory. The company also confirmed 268 roles have been cut across various studios, including Halo Studios (formerly 343 Industries). Other studios like Obsidian Entertainment have been transferred to Bethesda, while Undead Labs will continue to develop State of Decay 3 with a new publisher.
Activision’s Goal is to “Make the Greatest Halo Game Ever,” Says President
Activision will now develop the next Halo game following significant layoffs at Xbox's Halo Studios. Activision president Rob Kostich stated the company's goal is to "make the greatest Halo game ever." The article notes the troubled legacy of the franchise under 343 Industries, citing issues with Halo 4, Halo 5: Guardians, and Halo Infinite.
15 video game franchises that need to end - Reader's Feature
A reader argues that numerous long-running video game franchises have overstayed their welcome and should be retired to encourage innovation. Titles like Assassin's Creed, Call of Duty, Halo, and The Last of Us are cited as examples of games that have become repetitive and are primarily cash grabs, with the author suggesting developers should focus on new intellectual properties instead.
Slangbella, vampyrer och Blizzcon: Vi tar spelhelg
Several individuals share their gaming plans for the weekend, which include playing a variety of titles such as Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. Other mentioned games include HumanitZ, Goemon, and Japanese Drift Master, alongside attending events like Blizzcon and a local video game festival.
Blizzard frestar med något Starcraft-relaterat inför helgens Blizzcon
Blizzard Entertainment is expected to announce something Starcraft-related at BlizzCon, with rumors pointing towards a new shooter or real-time strategy game. Hidden messages on the official Starcraft website hint at new content, while speculation suggests potential involvement from developers like Creative Assembly.
Halo Turns 25 and Hands Out Seven Free Items — Just Don’t Miss the Cutoff
343 Industries is celebrating Halo's 25th anniversary by offering seven free cosmetic items in Halo Infinite to players who log in before December 31, 2026. The giveaway includes nameplates, coatings, and a weapon charm, with no purchase or challenges required. This event is part of a broader year-long celebration for the franchise.
Exodus release date confirmed for April 2027, a spiritual successor to Mass Effect
Archetype Entertainment has confirmed that the sci-fi RPG Exodus will be released on April 7, 2027, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The game features choice-based mechanics and a time dilation feature, positioning it as a spiritual successor to Mass Effect. New gameplay footage was also revealed at Gamescom, showcasing companions Salt and Emrys.
"The Ori 3 rumors are nonsense," Metroidvania series creator says, and that Halo has taught Xbox you'll "undoubtedly get more slop" without the right talent working on beloved series
Thomas Mahler, CEO of Moon Game Studios, has debunked rumors of a third Ori game, stating that no such project is in development. He expressed interest in Moon Game Studios potentially buying back the Ori IP from Microsoft to develop a sequel themselves, citing concerns about other studios' ability to capture the series' magic, referencing Halo's struggles under 343 Industries.
Give Master Chief a break – I want more Halo games like ODST and Reach
The author argues that while Halo's core FPS gameplay is legendary, its narrative potential, particularly seen in titles like Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach, has been underutilized in recent years. With the rebrand to Halo Studios and the release of Halo: Campaign Evolved, there's an opportunity to draw inspiration from these past successes and explore new storytelling avenues within the Halo universe, rather than solely focusing on Master Chief's main saga.
Halo Studios to Rely on Heavy Outsourcing on Future Projects – Rumor
A rumor suggests that Halo Studios will heavily rely on outsourcing for future game development, potentially collaborating with Activision and Sledgehammer Games. This follows reports of significant outsourcing for Halo: Campaign Evolved and a canceled multiplayer project. The article also touches on criticisms of Halo: Campaign Evolved by franchise co-creator Marcus Lehto.
Halo Co-Creator Criticizes Art Direction of Campaign Evolved’s Forerunner Tech
Halo co-creator Marcus Lehto has criticized the art direction of Halo: Campaign Evolved, specifically its depiction of Forerunner technology. Lehto stated the remake's Forerunner structures look too modern and lack the ancient, mysterious feel of the original. Despite these criticisms, he acknowledged positive aspects like the Covenant and Flood aesthetics and previously praised the game's upgrades and lighting.
Halo: Campaign Evolved Review | TheXboxHub
Halo: Campaign Evolved is a faithful yet modernized remake of the original Xbox launch title, celebrating 25 years of the franchise. It features the iconic ten-mission campaign, enhanced visuals using Unreal Engine 5, and new prequel missions focusing on Sgt. Johnson and Master Chief. While PvP is absent, the remake introduces weapons and features from later Halo games and overhauls challenging levels like 'The Library', offering a definitive experience for both newcomers and long-time fans.
Console Game Development Is Moving to Unreal Engine, and Halo Just Proved It
Halo Studios has transitioned from its proprietary Slipspace engine to Unreal Engine 5 for Halo: Campaign Evolved, marking a significant shift in console game development. This move aims to reduce internal engine maintenance costs, allowing more resources for game creation and faster content delivery to platforms like PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
EA taken private by Saudi Arabia, GTA marketing jumps the shark, and Devolver's huge mistake - Patch Notes #64
Electronic Arts has been taken private by an investor consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund for $55 billion. Devolver Digital is seeking to delist from the London Stock Exchange due to the incompatibility of short-term investor demands with the volatile video game industry. Additionally, the next trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI will premiere exclusively on Netflix before a wider release.
