Halo developer says franchise is ‘right here to say’ after studio ‘hit arduous’ by Microsoft layoffs

 developer 343 Industries took to Twitter on Saturday to share a short message concerning the franchise’s future. “Halo and Grasp Chief are right here to remain,” 343 stated in a press release attributed to studio head Pierre Hintze. “343 Industries will proceed to develop Halo now and sooner or later, together with epic tales, multiplayer, and extra of what makes Halo nice.”

The assertion comes after Microsoft confirmed that it earlier than the tip of March. In accordance with , 343 Industries was by the restructuring and misplaced Halo veteran and inventive director Joe Staten – who joined the studio in 2020 to assist carry Infinite over the end line – to Microsoft’s publishing division. Staten’s reassignment follows a handful of different high-profile departures, together with that of lead developer David Berger and 343 . Schreier couldn’t put a quantity to the cuts at 343, however he stated Infinite’s marketing campaign staff was notably affected by the cuts. Previous to the layoffs, the studio additionally had a “long-running” hiring freeze in place and had misplaced numerous contractors in latest weeks and months. One former 343 staff member blamed the layoffs on “incompetent management up high.”

Microsoft launched Halo Infinite in 2021 to , however the sport has since struggled to take care of a constant participant base. , as an example, Infinite is at the moment averaging about 4,000 gamers per day, a steep drop from the 100,000 gamers it was averaging at launch. Greater than a 12 months after the sport’s launch, Microsoft additionally has but to announce new marketing campaign content material for Infinite. Halo followers rightfully have motive to be anxious concerning the franchise’s future.