Xbox doesn’t rule out Halo development outside of 343 Industries

What Halo This is far from his golden days, this is not new. The franchise has gone through very difficult months, especially in the last stretch of 2022, due to the inability to 343 industries to stick to their release schedule for additional content for Halo Infinite. In fact, there were rumors that the research would be separated from its development. And although Microsoft denied this, the idea was not completely abandoned.

last comments from Matt Bootyleader of Xbox Game Studios, once again put on the table the possibility that the future Halo are no longer dependent on 343 Industries. At least not exclusively.

In an interview with Axiosthe head referred to the current Halo and left some very interesting concepts. On the one hand, he explained that the team currently in charge of Halo Infinite very different from the one that started the project. Moreover, he praised Pierre Hintzewhich took over the reins last September following the departure of Bonnie Ross.

“I trust the leaders, but the team that brought us here is probably not the team that will lead us forward. Look at the quality Master Chief Collection and know that the core of the team that made it is doing most of the hard work today in Halo“.

Matt Booty, head of Xbox Games Studios.

Link to Master Chief Collection this is no accident. In 2014, a collection of serials was released Halo for Xbox One received rave reviews for its content and graphical improvements. However, 343 Industries was heavily criticized by fans and the press for poor multiplayer performance and connection issues. Something similar to what happened to Halo Infinitewhose campaign received very good ratings, but the mood was completely changed by the fiasco of his multiplayer.

Pierre Hintze is called the fundamental figure who can eliminate the inconvenience Master Chief Collection and help level your course. However, Booty’s support of current leader 343 Industries will not guarantee that the studio will retain exclusive development rights. Halo.

Can Activision studios get their hands on Halo?

During an interview, the head of Xbox Game Studios declined to answer if a new part will be released Halo is under development. And when asked if Microsoft would consider continuing the franchise with Activision Blizzard, left the door open to possibility. So far, the acquisition could be closed for nearly $69 billion.

“If something like this happened, [la idea] should have come from the studio. It is unlikely that we will interfere and dictate it from above, ”said Matt Booty. As such, the CEO made it clear that, for now, 343 Industries continues to be “the home of Halo“Despite this, if other studios, including Activision, come up with attractive offers to continue the franchise, no change of course.

Another important element to consider for the future Halo so layoffs earlier this year affected 343 Industries. Several of the company’s employees, including several veterans with more than 10 years of Xbox experience, saw a way out as part of the restructuring announced by Microsoft.

In addition to management and developers, Halo it also faces possible radical changes in technical matters. It has long been rumored that 343 Industries will be ditching the Slipspace engine, a proprietary technology that many consider obsolete, and adopting Epic Games’ highly successful Unreal Engine. Will that be enough to not lose control of the most iconic franchise on Xbox? The last word has not yet been said.