Halo Studios Goes Unreal for "Unparalleled Halo Experiences"

Microsoft has confirmed the development of multiple new Halo games, coinciding with 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 Embarks on a New Era of Halo Game Development

Microsoft's Halo Studios (formerly 343 Industries) announced the commencement of several new Halo game projects. This announcement also revealed a studio rebranding, signaling a fresh chapter in the franchise's history.

Studio Head Pierre Hintze stated, "Halo's journey has two distinct chapters: Bungie and 343 Industries. Now, we aim to deliver what our audience craves." He emphasized a shift not only in development efficiency but also in the fundamental approach to creating Halo games.

The studio will leverage Epic Games' Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) for these new Halo titles. UE5's reputation for high-quality visuals and realistic physics aligns with the studio's ambition. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney tweeted, "Epic is honored that Halo Studios chose our tools for their future endeavors."

Halo's leadership team outlined the franchise's new direction. Hintze explained that previous efforts disproportionately focused on supporting Halo Infinite. The transition to UE5, he stated, will facilitate the creation of higher-quality Halo games. "Our singular focus is to develop the best possible Halo games," he affirmed.

Halo franchise COO Elizabeth Van Wyck added, "Success hinges on creating games players want to play. This new structure empowers game developers to make key decisions." She also highlighted the importance of increased player feedback in shaping the franchise's future.

Studio Art Director Chris Matthew explained the technical advantages of UE5. He noted that aspects of the previous engine, Slipspace, are nearly 25 years old and that UE5 offers capabilities unavailable in Slipspace, saving significant development time and resources.

The move to UE5 also streamlines the update process, enabling faster content delivery and better responsiveness to player feedback. Van Wyck emphasized the importance of quicker turnaround times for both game releases and updates. With this new direction solidified, Halo Studios has begun recruiting for these new projects.