Halo
News, coverage and analysis tracking Halo across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Xbox forms Xbox Pictures to "reach fans beyond gameplay through film and television adaptations" but will…
Xbox has announced the formation of Xbox Pictures, a new division focused on adapting its game franchises into film and television. Led by Kayleen Walters, this initiative is part of a broader strategy to expand Xbox's reach beyond gaming into areas like licensing, partnerships, and location-based experiences.
Xbox announces new XP division to deliver transmedia spinoffs including film, TV, and theme parks
Xbox has launched a new division, XP, dedicated to expanding its brands into film, television, theme parks, and merchandise. Led by former Mojang president Kayleen Walters, the division will oversee projects like the Fallout TV series and the upcoming Minecraft World theme park. This move aims to leverage the emotional connection players have with Xbox franchises beyond just gaming.
Following Nintendo and Sony's lead, Xbox is setting up a division exclusively dedicated to movies and non-games partnerships
Microsoft has launched a new division within Xbox called XP, which will focus on expanding game franchises into movies, TV, and other partnerships. Led by Kayleen Walters, the division aims to create more opportunities for players to engage with beloved game worlds across various media, following successes like the Minecraft movie and the Fallout TV series.
With Grand Theft Auto 6 poised to take over the world, I reached out to Jack Thompson and it did not go well
The article contrasts the controversy surrounding Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas's 'Hot Coffee' mod with the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6, noting the shift in societal acceptance of mature game content. It highlights how former critic Jack Thompson remains vehemently opposed, while the gaming industry and public have largely moved past such concerns, with violent crime declining as gaming became more mainstream.
Resident Evil Movie Will Become Zach Cregger’s Biggest Ever, Surpassing Weapons
Zach Cregger's latest film, Resident Evil, is projected to surpass his previous box office hit, Weapons, by the end of the week, reaching over $280 million worldwide. The film's success is significantly boosted by its performance in China. While Cregger has expressed interest in future stories, he has stated he is finished with franchise movies.
What’s Next For Halo Under Activision? Probably Not The Endless
Halo is transitioning to Activision's management, with a new team taking over development while 343 Industries is significantly downsized. The article reveals details about the alien faction known as the Endless, which may not feature in future Halo titles under Activision. This shift occurs as Microsoft emphasizes major franchises amidst widespread layoffs and studio divestitures.
Former Halo art director claps back at founding Xbox member for implying 343 Industries had a "laziness"…
Former Halo art director Glenn Israel responded to claims made by founding Xbox member Laura Fryer, who described Halo Studios (formerly 343 Industries) as a "ghost town" during the development of Gears of War 2. Israel refuted Fryer's recollection, stating that while the studio had "systemic issues," it was not "rife with laziness" and that Fryer's timeline and observations were inaccurate.
Asha Sharma reportedly informs staff that Xbox has "started to return to growth" during internal town hall
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced during an internal town hall that the company has begun to return to growth after reaching an all-time low, with significant improvements in its first-party segment and user engagement. Sharma also discussed plans to evolve Game Pass, introduce a family of next-gen hardware devices under Project Helix, and continue investing in console features despite current market stagnation.
Games industry investors are "sitting on the sidelines waiting for obvious slam dunks", says Undead Labs boss, with labour costs a key worry
Undead Labs studio boss Philip Holt believes investors are hesitant to fund game development projects unless they are 'obvious slam dunks,' citing high labor costs, particularly in expensive regions like Seattle, as a major concern. He also discussed the studio's successful management buyout from Microsoft and its implications for the future of State of Decay 3.
Naughty Dog "exists to sell Sony hardware," former Last of Us and Uncharted dev says, so it doesn't have to be as "profit-driven as other companies"
A former Naughty Dog VFX artist suggests the studio exists primarily to sell PlayStation hardware, allowing it to focus on high-quality single-player games rather than being purely profit-driven. This strategy contrasts with the industry trend towards live-service titles, with Sony leveraging exclusive first-party games to boost console sales.
As Halo Moves to Activision, Halo Studios Writers Tease What Might Have Been
Halo Studios writers have teased potential future directions for the Master Chief's story following the launch of Halo: Campaign Evolved. This comes amid the recent announcement that Activision will now be overseeing the Halo series, a move that seems to have caused internal reflection at Halo Studios.
Halo Studios’ Next Game May Have Featured The Mysterious Xalanyn Before Cancelation
Halo franchise writer Alex Wakeford discussed potential future projects, including the introduction of the mysterious Xalanyn entities, before a major reshuffling at Xbox. While Halo Studios is now tasked with supporting existing games, Activision is working on a new Halo title, aiming to create "the greatest Halo game ever." This comes amidst significant layoffs across Xbox studios, and reports indicate Halo Studios' next project was canceled.
Halo Studios says "it is absolutely our intent" to release new Halo book, despite layoffs and a rumored lore reboot from Activision
Halo Studios is determined to release the upcoming Halo novel "Fireteam Noble" despite recent layoffs and a rumored lore reboot affecting the franchise. Franchise writer Alex Wakeford confirmed that significant editorial work has been completed and efforts are underway to ensure the book's completion, while also stating intent to finish the "Burn the Road Home" novella. The future of other Halo projects remains uncertain amidst these behind-the-scenes shakeups.
Ninja Theory begins laying off staff, according to employee posts
Ninja Theory, the developer behind the Hellblade series, has begun laying off staff. Xbox had proposed closing the studio in September after two separate sale agreements fell through. Employees have expressed sadness on social media about not being able to finish their current projects.
Activision’s Halo Could Be A Full Reboot, Prototypes Developed Before Announcement – Rumor
A rumor suggests Activision is considering a full reboot of the Halo franchise, potentially focusing on Master Chief's origin story. Sledgehammer Games reportedly prototyped both a free-to-play multiplayer and a campaign experience before Activision decided on a single, full-package game. The project is in early development, and details may change.
"This is your Dreamcast moment": Former PlayStation boss thinks Xbox needs to "pick a lane" with exclusive games to fix itself
Former PlayStation boss Shawn Layden believes Xbox needs to commit to a clear strategy regarding exclusive games to improve its standing. He argues that a platform without exclusives lacks meaning, and that trying to be both a platform and a major third-party publisher is unsustainable. Layden compares Xbox's current situation to Sega's Dreamcast era, suggesting a pivot to publishing is possible.
Bungie co-founder and Destiny 2 narrative director launch transmedia studio Stone Kite
Bungie co-founder Jason Jones and Destiny 2 narrative director Margaret Stohl have launched a new transmedia studio called Stone Kite. The Los Angeles-based company aims to build worlds collaboratively across various media from inception, debuting with its first IP, One Zero One, a comic book series adapted from an original manuscript by Jones.
Halo's new steward Activision reportedly considering rebooting the series, with a team in Sledgehammer Games leading the charge
Activision is reportedly considering a reboot for the Halo series, with a new team at Sledgehammer Games leading the charge. This potential reboot would explore Master Chief's origins and may combine both campaign and multiplayer elements, possibly moving away from Halo Studios' Slipstream engine to the Infinity Ward Engine. The news comes amid major reorganisation and layoffs within Microsoft's Xbox division.
Activision Could Be Giving Halo Something It Hasn’t Had In Years: A Clean Slate
Activision is reportedly considering a complete reboot for the Halo series, potentially led by Sledgehammer Games. This move aims to move away from the complex lore accumulated over 25 years, offering a fresh start that doesn't directly follow Halo Infinite's narrative but may still incorporate established canon. The franchise has faced criticism for its increasingly convoluted lore and reliance on supplementary media.
IKEA and XBOX YXSTABY Collection: How the Collaboration Came Together | Official XBOX Podcast
The Official Xbox Podcast features a discussion with IKEA and Xbox designers about their YXSTABY collection, which merges gaming and home design. The collaboration focuses on creating functional and stylish furniture like gaming chairs, TV stands, stools, and display boxes, inspired by Xbox controllers and gaming culture.
