As a result of Microsoft's recent round of layoffs, Halo developer 343 Industries has been hit with a number of job losses in what sounds like a fairly major restructuring of the company moving forward. The team has since put out a statement to say it will continue developing Halo in the future, but a new report suggests the overall situation is still developing.
IGN reports that "significant cuts" have been made to the Halo development team, and that the whole restructure is still being figured out over at 343 Industries. The outlet then claims to have heard from one source that "about a quarter" of the team lost their jobs, although the report is keen to point out that the figure is an estimate from the source and not a firm number.
"IGN has learned that significant cuts have been made to 343's Halo development team. One former 343 employee impacted by the layoffs estimated about a quarter of 343's staff was impacted, although that's not a firm statistic.
We've also learned that around 30 people were let go from 343's art department alone, with former employees saying 343 Industries was hit 'hard with positions impacted across all disciplines."
The report goes on to share that a "senior-level source" with ties to 343 believes that the current Halo developer could become a "publishing team" instead of the series' core developer. However, the outlet understands the situation to be "ongoing" and the future undecided at present.
Right now, the info from this report is unconfirmed, and it's worth paying attention to what 343 is saying in an official capacity more than anything else. Major changes could well be afoot for Halo, but right now, the series and its developer "are here to stay".
What do you make of all this Halo news? Worried about the franchise? Let us know your thoughts.
[source ign.com]
Comments 17
Frankly if it's going to keep making Halo 343 needs new ideas, new leadership. Personally would rather see them try something else and let another team like the Coalition have a crack at it with fresh eyes.
Still looking forward to see that snickerdoodle was fired.
Will say that, all day, every day, until happens. Then will rejoice!
@Kaloudz "around 30 people were let go from 343's art department alone"
Last I heard 343 had ballooned to over 500 employees, a huge number for a company making just one game.
The game scored a 87 on metacritic. It is still a very solid game. The issue was the live service model, there was not anything substantially new from season to season. If they scrap that and go back to the normal Halo formula it will be just fine.
343 is very capable of being the halo team.
@Kaloudz Bungie had 107 credited developers on Halo 1 including localisation etc. But nowadays many games have thousands of devs listed. Halo Infinite has 2,607 devs listed in the credits.
But most of those devs are outsourced for art etc. from third parties, they aren't part of the core dev team which is usually much smaller. E.g. 343 had help from dozens of other studios, including The Coalition, on Halo: Infinite.
Might sound harsh but good, 343 needs restructuring. Like I’ve said before I hope some of those who made the big decisions have also been let go. I too liked Infinite, but 343 still failed on many fronts. A years delay and no co-op after saying every halo game would include it as well as the mismanagement of the franchise overall for a decade.
I still think 343i is suitable for Halo going forward but what they need is clear direction. Infinite was a solid game in my opinion. But leadership ruined it's potential. Hopefully this restructuring gives Halo a bright future and 343i a shot at redemption.
Wow 6 years wasted on Halo Infinite.
God knows we’re Halo will go next and probably another 6 years wait since Halo Infinite released at least.
Me guessing Halo next big release for next generation Xbox Series ZZ.
I’m calling it tonight in the presentation.
Disc less Series X £330 UK price.
Creating some direct competition and a boost in console sales and some much needed momentum for Xbox.
I may moan about Xbox but with the series x they made an amazing console.
@Fenbops
I’m calling it tonight in the presentation.
Disc less Series X £330 UK price.
Creating some direct competition and a boost in console sales and some much needed momentum for Xbox.
I may moan about Xbox but with the series x they made an amazing console.
@Dezzy70 that’s a bold prediction my man. I think the Series X is a brilliantly designed little machine and I’ll be stunned if they announce a disc less version. We’ll soon see but I haven’t got my hopes up for tonight for anything crazy.
@Kaloudz I know man I don’t think it’s harsh either, 343 has had more than adequate time to get Halo right and they never have, this could have happened sooner tbh.
@Fenbops
Not long to go now. Nearly time.
@Fenbops
Here we go, come on Xbox bring it with style.
@Dezzy70 I just wasted 15 minutes watching someone play the beginning of Forspoken while I wait for this, Jesus 🤣🤣
If this Direct doesn’t top that I’ll be worried 😂
Can someone explain to me in infinite multiplayer I get armour for levelling up but where is it to equip? 343 used confusion.
Figured it out, was looking at the wrong armour core or whatever you call it. I stupidly thought all armour pieces you unlocked would be available for all the armour cores
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