The criticism of 343 Industries and Halo Infinite continues to have an effect, as does the mass layoffs in the Microsoft group. This could mean a fresh start for the Halo series.
At Microsoft and its developers, things are getting really busy at the moment. The weak 2022 financial year and the resulting layoffs of 10,000 employees are also having an effect on the studios. a report Bloomberg according to the Halo developers 343 Industries alone, a good 95 employees were laid off.
Not only “normal” employees are affected, but also management staff, as well as temporary workers. However, the first rumors that Halo development is going completely to another studio have already been contradicted – Halo remains at 343.
According to the report, the personnel drain, as well as the departure of longtime Halo veterans, could have a massive impact on the series. There is even talk of a kind of restart. It is already known that the old Slipspace engine will be shelved and replaced by the Unreal Engine for upcoming Halo titles. Problems with the Slipspace engine, which is said to be based on outdated code, are said to have caused delays in the new game modes Extraction and Assault for Halo Infinite.
A first game with the Unreal Engine is said to be in the works under the code name Tatanka in cooperation with the Certain Affinity studio. The project is said to have started as a battle royale, but could develop in a different direction. Working on new prototypes with the Unreal Engine seems to be a high priority at 343, according to the Bloomberg report there will definitely be no more story content for Halo Infinite.
In an email from 343 boss Hintze following the announcement of the layoffs, 343’s current plan is to support “a robust live offering” for Halo Infinite and its Forge level creator and “our new tech stack” for future Halo games while “making Halo accessible to more players on more platforms than ever before.”
Sounds very much like a fresh wind is blowing through the halls of 343 and a restart of the Halo series cannot be ruled out. Might not hurt, as Halo Infinite’s long lag and growing player criticism of multiplayer doesn’t come from nowhere.
The Halo Infinite Winter Update is here, finally bringing campaign co-op and the Forge to the game.
