Changes continues at Microsoft as more layoffs and strategy shifts have hit the company. This time focuses on Halo and some dramatic changes to bring back some of the glory the game has lost over the years.
Per a statement issues to staff from Xbox chief content officer Matt Booty, Activision will be putting together a purpose built team to look after the next Halo title. I think most people are aware that Halo Infinite was a bit of a disaster. Personally, I felt the campaing fell pretty flat considering it is part of one of the most exciting and storied FPS franchises in all of gaming. As such, Xbox appears to be taking this step to put right the wrongs of 343 Industries, now known as Halo Studios.
According to Booty, this team will be separate from the ongoing development and plans for Call of Duty, so you are looking at a completely self-sustained and self-sufficient entity that only exists to look after Halo. In the same statement, he mentions that a “small team” will stay on at Halo Studios to support the Halo Community, and “games in-market” which means already released titles and the esports scene.
268 positions are being cut at Halo Studios, some other first-party studios, and the XGS management and central functions layer, although they do not state how many of those will hit Halo Studios versus the other areas.
This is a big changing of the guard for Halo, and likely one that some of the louder elements of the fanbase will be happy with. Many people will feel that Halo has lost its way over recent years, but it’s never nice to see layoffs hit a company.
Personally, I cannot say I am too excited that Activision is taking over. I understand it from Microsoft’s point of view, as Activision does look after its biggest money-maker, Call of Duty. That said, I really do not like where Call of Duty has ended up as a franchise, and I worry that the same vapid and empty-headed clawing for microtransaction money and an endless engagement cycle will grow to define whatever their vision is for Halo.
We can but live in hope, I guess.
Published: Sep 22, 2026 11:15 am