Activision to Develop Next Halo Game as Xbox (learn more) Announces Job Cuts
Microsoft is cutting 268 jobs across Halo Studios and its management layer, as announced by Matt Booty, Xbox's chief content officer, in an email to staff on Tuesday. This move comes as part of a broader reorganisation following the collapse of agreements to sell Ninja Theory.
Key Takeaways:
- Job Cuts: 268 roles are being eliminated, with some cuts extending beyond gaming departments like cloud and AI. A company-wide figure is estimated at around 500 employees by Business Insider, with approximately 300 in Washington state, as reported by GeekWire.
- Studio Reorganisation: Activision will develop the next Halo title, distinct from their Call of Duty team. This shift also includes the acquisition of Rare (developers of Sea of Thieves) and World’s Edge (Age of Empires developers).
- Continued Support: While Halo Studios is not closing, a smaller team will remain to support existing games and their community.
- Past Changes: Halo has changed studios several times since its inception in 2001 with Bungie. Most recently, 343 Industries, now renamed Halo Studios, developed the most recent release, Halo: Campaign Evolved.
"For Halo, our goal is clear: make the greatest Halo game ever, worthy of its universe and legacy, while staying true to what made players love it in the first place." - Rob Kostich, Activision
This reorganisation marks a significant shift for the iconic Halo franchise.