Microsoft hands Halo development to Activision, cuts Halo
Microsoft has given development of the next mainline Halo game to Activision, which is forming a new team separate from Call of Duty.
The next major Halo game will be developed by Activision, not the series' longtime steward Halo Studios. Microsoft announced the shift as part of a wider Xbox restructuring that includes eliminating 268 roles and drastically reducing the size of Halo Studios.
Xbox Studios boss Matt Booty stated the changes in an internal memo. Activision will also be developing the next Halo title, led by a new, purpose-built team that is separate from ongoing development and plans for Call of Duty, Booty wrote. He confirmed that only a small team at Halo Studios will remain to support existing Halo games and the community.
Activision's new Halo team
Activision president Rob Kostich welcomed the responsibility in a statement to Kotaku. "We're thrilled to welcome Halo, Rare, and World's Edge to Activision," Kostich said. He emphasized the studio's ambition for the project. "For Halo, our goal is clear: make the greatest Halo game ever, worthy of its universe and legacy." Kostich added that a unique team has already begun assembling for the task.
The restructuring represents a profound change for the Halo franchise. Since Bungie's departure in 2007, the series has been managed by the studio now known as Halo Studios. That team was responsible for all mainline entries after Halo 3, as well as major compilation projects.
A history of Halo development
The source report lists the mainline Halo games developed by Halo Studios (formerly 343 Industries) since it took over the franchise.
| Game | Release Year | Platforms (as listed) |
|---|---|---|
| Halo 4 | 2012 | PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One |
| Halo 5: Guardians | 2015 | Xbox One |
| Halo Infinite | 2021 | PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S |
| Halo: Campaign Evolved | Most Recent | PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S |
The studio also collaborated on other projects like Halo: The Master Chief Collection and the Halo Wars strategy games.
Wider Xbox restructuring impacts
This Halo news is part of a larger wave of changes at Microsoft Gaming. The source states that British studio Ninja Theory has been closed. Other studios, including Rare and Obsidian, are being consolidated under the control of different publishers within the Microsoft ecosystem. The 268 job cuts affect Halo Studios, other first-party studios, and Xbox management layers.
The move ends an era for Halo development. For nearly two decades, the franchise's creative direction was centralized within a single Microsoft-owned studio. Activision's new, separate team now faces the challenge of defining the series' next chapter. The small remaining support team at Halo Studios will maintain the live service for Halo Infinite and other existing titles.
