Yesterday we let you know that Microsoft layoffs reached some Xbox studios. Specifically, to 343 Industries and Bethesda Game Studios. Now, a new report reveals a series of movements that are supposedly taking place within the team responsible for Halo. If true, they would change the course of the franchise in significant ways.
It is well known that 343 Industries has had all sorts of complications to push Halo since Bungie’s departure. None of his three titles developed so far (Halo 4, halo 5 Y Halo Infinite) has reached the level of quality and impact of previous deliveries. It seems, then, that at Microsoft they have had enough of this situation. The layoffs would be just the tip of the iceberg.
According to Bathrobe Spartanowner of Halo Podcasts, those from Redmond are making profound changes at 343 Industries. First, the studio would have lost approximately 30% of its workforce. It is not a minor figure, since 343 has one of the largest templates of Xbox Game Studios.
However, the most surprising thing comes next. Microsoft would have decided that 343 Industries will stop being the main developer of the games of Halo. They would continue to coordinate the franchise, but without being directly involved in development. The creation of the next titles, then, would be in the hands of other studies of the company.
Halo Infinitethe first game affected by the 343 Industries crash
This change of course would already have immediate consequences in the future of Halo Infinite. According to Bathrobe Spartan, 343 Industries had multiple additional content in the works for the campaign of said game. Nevertheless, all would have been canceled. Microsoft would have ordered only to continue with the improvements and development of new DLCs for the multiplayer mode.
It should not be forgotten that, according to Jason Schreier, a journalist for Bloombergthe team responsible for the campaign Halo Infinite was the most impacted by the layoffs at 343 Industries. Linking both reports together, it makes sense that Microsoft would have let go of a group of people whose projects were cancelled.
Now, it is not surprising that Microsoft has chosen to fire the creators of the only outstanding modality of Halo Infinite. The campaign was received positively as it offered, for the first time in the franchise’s history, a completely open world. The multiplayer cannot boast the same, since it has been a real disaster since its launch. To date, 343 Industries has not been able to make it a benchmark for games as a service.
For now, Bathrobe Spartan has not echoed what will be the studies that will develop the following games of Halo. Whether deliveries belonging to the main saga, or spin-offs. The community is aware of the drift of the franchise and, for a long time, they have suggested the intervention of other teams to save the history of Master Chef. The most popular is idSoftwarewho have done a fantastic job with Doom.
How reliable is this report? Well, in the past you have revealed correct information about new multiplayer content from Halo Infinite. The middle Seasoned Gaming supports it, while windows central He points out that, for the moment, he has only been able to confirm that there was content in development for the campaign at 343 Industries. Still, let’s take it with a grain of salt until we have an official pronouncement from Microsoft.