Microsoft has confirmed the development of multiple new Halo games, alongside the rebranding of 343 Industries to "Halo Studios." This marks a significant shift for the studio responsible for the iconic military sci-fi franchise.
Xbox Game Studios' 343 Industries Rebrands to Halo Studios
Halo Studios Charts a New Course for Future Halo Games
Microsoft-owned Halo Studios (formerly 343 Industries) has confirmed it's working on several new Halo titles. This announcement coincides with the studio's rebranding, signaling a fresh start for the franchise.Studio Head Pierre Hintze stated, "Halo has had two distinct chapters: Bungie and 343 Industries. Now, we're responding to player demand for more. We're not just improving development efficiency, but fundamentally changing how we create Halo games."
The studio will leverage Epic Games' Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) for future Halo installments. UE5's reputation for high-quality graphics and realistic physics makes it an ideal choice. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney tweeted, "Epic is honored that Halo Studios has chosen our tools for their future projects!"
Halo's leadership team outlined the franchise's new direction. Hintze explained, "We previously over-focused on supporting Halo Infinite. The shift to UE5 allows us to create more, higher-quality Halo games." He emphasized a singular focus: "Making the best possible Halo games."
COO Elizabeth Van Wyck added, "Success hinges on building games players want. This new structure empowers game developers to make key decisions. We're actively seeking broader player feedback to guide our development." She highlighted the importance of player evaluation in shaping the franchise's future.
Studio Art Director Chris Matthew cited the limitations of the previous engine, Slipspace, as a factor in the switch to UE5. He noted that certain aspects of Slipspace are nearly 25 years old, and replicating UE5's capabilities would have been extremely time-consuming. "Unreal Engine offers features unavailable in Slipspace, streamlining development and enabling faster updates."
The move to UE5 also accelerates content updates and allows the studio to respond more quickly to player feedback. Van Wyck stated, "It's not just about development time, but also update speed and responsiveness to player desires." With its new direction solidified, Halo Studios has begun recruitment for these new projects.
