Halo
News, coverage and analysis tracking Halo across the outlets.
Former Destiny 2 and Marathon director settles $200 million lawsuit against Sony and Bungie: 'The outcome is one I…Former Destiny 2 and Marathon director Christopher Barrett has settled his $200 million lawsuit against Sony Interactive Entertainment and Bungie. Barrett alleged he was wrongfully terminated to avoid paying him over $45 million in owed compensation and to scapegoat him for business failures. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but Barrett expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
Rather than rip and tear id Software apart, Xbox should have put the FPS pioneers on Gears of WarFollowing significant layoffs at Xbox Game Studios, including a reported 50% staff reduction at id Software, the article argues that Xbox should leverage id Software's expertise for the Gears of War franchise. It suggests that id's talent for creating visceral first-person shooter experiences would be a better fit for Gears of War than continuing with their own struggling franchises like Quake Champions or Rage 2.- Bethesda Tells Workers The Company Needs To “Change Course” And Focus On Games With “Greatest Potential”Bethesda is undergoing a significant shift in strategy following recent layoffs at Microsoft's Xbox division. Company boss Jill Braff informed staff that Bethesda must 'change course' and focus on franchises with the 'greatest potential,' including The Elder Scrolls and Fallout, to ensure sustainable growth and continued investment in its games and players.
The Games You Should be Playing in July – TheXboxHub Official Podcast #230TheXboxHub Official Podcast Episode 330 discusses upcoming game releases for July and recent gaming industry news. Hosts Gareth, Paul, and Darren cover titles like Halo, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, Grand Theft Auto VI, and more, alongside significant changes at Xbox and PlayStation's potential shift away from physical discs.
Games Inbox: Is the Xbox doomed to failure?Readers express concerns about the future of Xbox, citing recent studio closures and a reliance on aging franchises like Halo and Gears of War. The discussion also touches on the shift towards digital-only games, the impact on game preservation, and the potential for companies like Sony to influence Kickstarter campaigns.
The Xbox reset is not going to work if it’s just a retreat to the pastMicrosoft's Xbox division continues to face significant challenges, marked by recurring mass layoffs and declining results. Despite the high volume of job cuts and studio closures, the company's future strategy remains unclear, with speculation that new leadership may be attempting to revert to past successes rather than innovate. The article questions the sustainability of this approach, especially concerning hardware sales and the exclusivity of major franchises like The Elder Scrolls 6.- The $69 Billion Hangover: Every Xbox Layoff Since The Activision Blizzard MergerMicrosoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion has been followed by significant layoffs and studio closures within its Xbox division. These cuts, described by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma as a "reset" due to an unhealthy business, have impacted thousands of employees and led to the cancellation of several game projects across various studios since January 2024.
Xbox cuts 3,200 staff as four studios to exit Microsoft – Arkane under reviewMicrosoft has announced significant layoffs affecting approximately 3,200 employees within its Xbox division, with 1,600 staff being let go immediately. Four studios, including Ninja Theory and Undead Labs, are becoming independent or being sold off, while Arkane Lyon's future is under review. This restructuring follows a period of rapid developer acquisitions and aims to refocus Xbox's business strategy.
Games Inbox: Is Nintendo Switch 2 and PC the perfect combination?Readers discuss the potential of the Nintendo Switch 2 combined with PC gaming as a strong alternative to PlayStation and Xbox, especially in light of Sony's move towards digital-only releases. The conversation also touches on the importance of physical media for game preservation and the rising costs of PC hardware components like RAM and SSDs.
Halo Project Ekur Reportedly Cancelled, Team Shifted to Campaign Evolved in Summer 2025 – RumorReports suggest that Halo Project Ekur has been cancelled, with its development team reportedly shifted to work on Halo: Campaign Evolved due to issues with the latter. The cancellation comes amidst rumors of layoffs at Xbox. Halo: Campaign Evolved is slated for release on July 28th for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.- Halo’s Rumoured Project Ekur Has Apparently Been Cancelled, And It Sounds Like It Was A Lot More Interesting Than We ThoughtThe secret Halo multiplayer project, codenamed Project Ekur, has reportedly been cancelled. The project aimed to explore new gameplay ideas but ultimately did not move forward, leaving the future direction of Halo's multiplayer uncertain.
What on earth is happening to the video games industry? - Reader's FeatureA reader expresses frustration with the current state of the video game industry, citing issues like mass layoffs, Sony's focus on live service games, and Microsoft's acquisition strategy. Concerns are raised about the move towards digital-only sales and the potential high cost of future consoles like the PlayStation 6. Despite these criticisms, the reader acknowledges the strength of the indie scene and the resurgence of companies like Capcom.
Xbox is closing down studios to help fund more Halo claim insidersXbox is reportedly planning significant layoffs and studio closures as part of a strategy to reallocate resources towards key franchises like Halo, The Elder Scrolls, and Fallout. Insiders suggest this move aims to revitalize struggling IPs and address issues with post-launch support, particularly for Halo Infinite. Several studios, including Ninja Theory and Double Fine, are rumored to be at risk.
Is yet another Microsoft studio, Obsidian, negotiating with Xbox to avoid closure? Conflicting reports emergeConflicting reports suggest that Obsidian Entertainment is negotiating with Microsoft to avoid closure, amidst a wave of layoffs affecting other Xbox studios like Arkane, Double Fine, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs. While one report indicates internal sentiment blames poor Call of Duty performance for these decisions, another source denies Obsidian is in negotiations to shut down, stating the studio will be kept by Xbox.
Obsidian reportedly safe from Xbox studio closures despite fears the RPG powerhouse was in negotiations to avoid…Despite earlier reports suggesting Obsidian Entertainment was negotiating to avoid closure, Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier has confirmed the RPG developer is safe. The news comes amid widespread fears of mass layoffs and studio shutdowns within Xbox's gaming division.- Xbox May Shut Down Obsidian Entertainment, TooNew reports indicate that Xbox is considering shutting down or selling Obsidian Entertainment, the studio behind games like Avowed and Fallout: New Vegas. This potential closure is part of a larger plan by Xbox to reallocate funds towards its major franchises, potentially affecting other subsidiaries like Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs.
- Working as a Team: The Principle of PartnershipThis article discusses how many game franchises are defined by a single protagonist, citing examples like Master Chief from Halo and Lara Croft from Tomb Raider. It contrasts this with Sony's approach of designing platforming mascots to undertake adventures as a team.
The Outer Worlds, Avowed Developer “Deep in Negotiation” With Xbox to Avoid Closure – RumorReports suggest that Xbox is in negotiations with Obsidian Entertainment to prevent its closure, alongside other studios like Arkane and Ninja Theory. This comes after The Outer Worlds 2 and Avowed reportedly failed to meet Xbox's sales expectations. The fate of these studios, including Obsidian, is expected to be revealed around July 6th.- With Xbox Speeding Up Work on New Fallout Games, One Former Bethesda Dev Warns Faster Sequels 'Risk Fan Fatigue' — but Could New Vegas Developer Obsidian Be Drafted in to Help?Xbox is reportedly accelerating development on new entries in The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Halo franchises under new leadership. However, a former Bethesda developer has cautioned that rushing sequels could lead to fan fatigue, suggesting that studios like Obsidian Entertainment might be considered to assist with Fallout development.
How to build an Xbox game night for every kind of playerThis guide provides advice on hosting a successful Xbox game night for players of all skill levels and preferences. It emphasizes selecting a variety of games, structuring the evening in rounds, and accommodating both active players and spectators. The article also touches on practical tips like food choices, room setup, and utilizing services like Game Pass.