In the wake of a massive round of layoffs at Microsoft, 343 Industries is assuring its fans that the development studio is still dedicated to releasing content for the Halo franchise, one of Xbox's most highly prized intellectual properties.

The official Twitter account for the studio on Saturday posted a brief message to the fans from Studio Head Pierre Hintze, assuring them that 343 Industries will continue to head the Halo franchise. "Halo and Master Chief are here to stay," the message begins. "343 Industries will continue to develop Halo now and in the future, including epic stories, multiplayer, and more of what makes Halo great."

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— Halo (@Halo) January 21, 2023

The message follow a tumultuous week at 343, and at Microsoft in general. The massive conglomerate has laid off around 10,000 workers — or roughly five percent of it total staff — and its Xbox gaming brand and its associated studios have not been safe from the cutbacks. Multiple former employees of 343, including Senior Designer Kevin Schmitt, announced their newly unemployed status online, and estimates as of Thursday stated that 60 members of the team behind the latest Halo title, Halo Infinite, were suddenly out of work.

Although Xbox's top officials have assured the industry that the layoffs are unfortunately beneficial to Microsoft's long-term success, that message hasn't halted criticism coming from the gaming community, and it seems to have had other unintended consequences as well. Joseph Staten, who has been working in the upper echelons of Halo's development teams since its original trilogy, appears to be leaving the studio despite not being one of those affected by the layoffs. On Thursday, Staten also announced on Twitter that he was "100% focused on helping people who lost their jobs find great new ones."

The layoffs have also affected Bethesda Softworks, another team now under Microsoft's banner, which is responsible for the popular Fallout and The Elder Scrolls franchises, as well as the hotly anticipated sci-fi title Starfield, which is anticipated for release later this year.



Posted: Jan 25, 2023 9:55 pm
Related Forum: Xbox Forum

Source: https://www.dualshockers.com/343-industries-commitment-halo-despite-layoffs/