October 7th 2024.
Master Chief has never looked better, according to Xbox studio 343 Industries. In a recent announcement, the studio revealed that they will be rebranding and shifting to Unreal Engine 5, along with the promise of multiple new Halo titles. This news comes as a breath of fresh air for fans who have been disappointed with the franchise's recent releases.
Ever since 343 Industries took over from Bungie in 2012 with Halo 4, the once-prestigious franchise has lost some of its status as a defining Xbox flagship. This decline was further exemplified with the mixed reception of their latest game, Halo Infinite, which failed to maintain long-term interest due to the cancellation of promised features and a lack of updates for the multiplayer mode.
The studio has also faced challenges with layoffs and staff exits, leading to rumors of them being taken off the Halo project entirely. However, a recent update from the studio confirms that they are still dedicated to the franchise, but with some major changes in store.
After the 2024 Halo World Championships, the studio announced on Xbox Wire that they will be making several significant changes behind the scenes. One of the most notable changes is the studio's name, which will now be known as Halo Studios instead of 343 Industries.
The other major change is the decision to move away from their proprietary Slipspace Engine and switch to Unreal Engine 5. In a video showcasing various Halo locations running on the new engine, the studio emphasized that this is a 'research project' called Foundry, meant to demonstrate the possibilities of the new technology.
Studio lead Pierre Hintze explains the decision, stating, "If you really break Halo down, there have been two very distinct chapters. Chapter 1 - Bungie. Chapter 2 - 343 Industries. Now, I think we have an audience which is hungry for more. So we're not just going to try and improve the efficiency of development, but change the recipe of how we make Halo games. So, we start a new chapter today."
According to Hintze, the engine switch will solve many of the issues encountered during the development of Halo Infinite, allowing the team to focus on creating games instead of building tools and engines. This change also aligns with the evolving gaming landscape, with players expecting faster content delivery.
With the move to Unreal Engine 5, Halo Studios' Art Director Chris Matthews is excited about the possibilities it opens up for the future of the franchise. He explains, "Respectfully, some components of Slipspace are almost 25 years old. Although 343 were developing it continuously, there are aspects of Unreal that Epic has been developing for some time, which are unavailable to us in Slipspace - and would have taken huge amounts of time and resources to try and replicate."
Matthews also adds that the new engine will allow them to expand and enrich the Halo world, providing players with a more immersive experience. Additionally, the switch to a widely-used engine like Unreal will make it easier for the studio to hire new talent.
With the announcement of multiple new Halo games in development, fans are eagerly waiting for more details. However, the studio clarifies that they are still at the beginning stages of this new chapter and it may be a while before any significant updates are shared.
Hintze explains, "One of the things I really wanted to get away from was the continued teasing out of possibilities and 'must-haves'. We should do more and say less. For me, I really think it's important that we continue the posture which we have right now when it comes to our franchise - the level of humility, the level of servitude towards Halo fans. We should talk about things when we have things to talk about, at scale."
Moving to Unreal Engine 5 also allows Halo Studios to work on multiple projects simultaneously, which was not possible with their previous engine. The team behind Halo Infinite, which had the entire studio focused on it, faced challenges in creating the game's ideal conditions for success.
While there is no confirmation on what these new Halo projects are, there have been rumors of a remake or remaster of the original Halo: Combat Evolved, which would be a perfect way to showcase the capabilities of Unreal Engine 5.
The big question now is whether these changes will reestablish Halo as a key selling point for Xbox. With the next generation of consoles rumored to be released in 2026, we can expect more updates on the future of Halo as we approach Microsoft's plans for the future.
And speaking of new Xbox consoles, they are set to be released later this year. To stay updated on all the exclusive gaming content and latest releases, be sure to sign up for the newsletter and follow on social media. Readers can also easily submit letters and features through the Submit Stuff page on the website.
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