Microsoft has confirmed the development of multiple new Halo games, coinciding with the rebranding of 343 Industries to "Halo Studios."

Xbox Game Studio's 343 Industries Rebrands to Halo Studios

Halo Studios Embarks on a New Era of Halo Game Development

"Halo's journey has two distinct phases: Bungie and 343 Industries," said Studio Head Pierre Hintze. "Now, we're responding to player demand for more. We're not just improving development efficiency; we're reimagining how we create Halo games."

The studio will leverage Epic Games' Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) for future Halo titles. UE5's renowned capabilities in delivering high-quality graphics and realistic physics are expected to significantly enhance the Halo experience. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney tweeted, "Epic is honored that Halo Studios has chosen our tools for their future endeavors!"

Halo's leadership outlined a renewed focus. Hintze explained, "We previously overemphasized creating conditions for Halo Infinite's success. Switching to UE5 allows us to prioritize creating the best possible Halo games." The emphasis is now on a singular goal: delivering exceptional Halo experiences.

COO Elizabeth Van Wyck added, "Success hinges on creating games players want. This new structure empowers the development team to make crucial game decisions." The studio is actively seeking broader player feedback to guide future development. "Ultimately, player evaluation is paramount," Van Wyck stated.

Studio Art Director Chris Matthew highlighted UE5's advantages. "Parts of our existing engine are nearly 25 years old," he explained. "While continuously developed, Unreal Engine offers features unavailable to us, features that would require significant time and resources to replicate."

The transition to UE5 also streamlines updates and content delivery. Van Wyck noted, "It's not just about development time, but also about updating the game, adding content, and responding to player feedback." Halo Studios has begun recruiting for these new projects.