Jar of Sparks, the NetEase-backed studio founded by former Halo Infinite design head Jerry Hook, has paused development on its debut game project. The studio is actively searching for a new publishing partner to help realize its creative vision.
Hook, who left 343 Industries and Microsoft in 2022 to establish Jar of Sparks, described the initial project as a "next-generation narrative-driven action game." While details remain scarce, the decision to seek a new publisher suggests challenges in the project's development.
NetEase, a prominent global gaming company, currently supports live-service titles such as Once Human and the recently launched Marvel Rivals. The latter's successful launch and upcoming content, including the addition of the Fantastic Four, highlight NetEase's continued investment in live-service games.
Hook's LinkedIn post confirmed the development pause and the studio's search for a new publishing partner. He expressed pride in the team's innovative work but also acknowledged that team members will be "exploring new opportunities." A subsequent post clarified the studio's commitment to assisting its employees in finding new roles as the project concludes.
This situation mirrors the experience of other veteran developers who have partnered with NetEase, such as Hiroyuki Kobayashi, former Resident Evil producer, who founded GPTRACK50 Studios in 2022.
The news comes amidst a period of transition for the Halo franchise, following challenges with Halo Infinite's post-launch content and the reception of the Paramount+ series. However, 343 Industries' rebranding to Halo Studios and the shift to Unreal Engine suggest a potential resurgence for the franchise. While Jar of Sparks' future remains uncertain, the gaming industry will be watching closely.
