Activision has taken charge of the next mainline Halo game following Microsoft’s major Xbox restructuring. Activision president Rob Kostich has set an ambitious goal for the newly formed team, aiming to create what could become the greatest Halo game in the franchise’s history.
The company has already begun assembling a dedicated team of experienced developers. It will operate separately from the studios responsible for Call of Duty.
«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. It is a bold ambition, one that this franchise deserves. We have already begun assembling a purpose-built team, unique in capability and talent, ready and excited to deliver this next chapter with the community», — Kostich said.
The restructuring comes alongside another 268 layoffs across Halo Studios, other Xbox developers, and Microsoft’s gaming management and central teams. Halo Studios, formerly known as 343 Industries, will retain a small team focused on supporting the community and existing games, including Halo Infinite and Halo: Campaign Evolved.
Activision has yet to reveal the new Halo’s title, release date, or gameplay details. As part of the broader restructuring, Rare, the developer of Sea of Thieves, and World’s Edge, which oversees the Age of Empires franchise, have also been placed under Activision.
A separate report claims that only around 20 employees remain at Halo Studios. The figure was shared by professional Halo player aPureGangster, who attributed it to a “very, very reputable source.” Microsoft has not officially confirmed the number.
The exact scale of the cuts at Halo Studios remains unclear, although reports of hundreds of layoffs indicate that the studio has undergone a major reduction in staff.
As a Reminder, The Blood of Dawnwalker is getting a major patch in early October.
