After the terrible and alarming news regarding the layoffs of more than 10,000 employees at Microsoft, 343 Industries seemed to be one of the hardest-hit Xbox studios with almost 100 employees laid off. After the news, new information pointed out that Halo would have an unkind ending, leaving aside the story of the Master Chief.
While all this is still bad news, 343 has finally come to light to clear up a few rumors that had been spreading by unscrupulous media. According to the statement, signed by Pierre Hintze, head of the study, comments that Halo and the Master Chief will remain in the hands of 343, and that they will not stop creating new stories and support for multiplayer.
Halo and the Master Chief are here to stay.
343 Industries will continue to develop Halo now and in the future, including epic storytelling, multiplayer, and much more that will make Halo amazing.
Pierre Hintze, Head of the studio
Halo is not going to disappear, 343 will continue to command the franchise and they rule out its end
I eat well we mentioned in Xbox Generation, the Halo franchise is too big for Microsoft to consider ending it. It has been unethical media who have taken advantage of the bad moment of the study and its workers to try to destabilize with false information. 343 will remain in command and vow to carry on the Master Chief’s legacy, confirming that this is not the end.
There is still a lot to understand, this is hardly the first official statement from the study following the sad news. We don’t understand the exact reasons for the layoffs, and whether there will be any major changes to development times and the vision of the games as such.
In the meantime, let’s be thankful that Halo doesn’t end, so let’s look forward to Halo Infinite Multiplayer Season Three and all the additions to come. However, it seems that the DLC content of the campaign will take time to arrive, since it seems that concrete development never began.
— Hello (@Hello) January 21, 2023