As part of the restructuring in Microsoft's Xbox division, the Halo series has been transferred to Activision. Marcus Lehto, co-creator of the series, said he was surprised by the decision but did not find it entirely unexpected.
As part of the sweeping changes Microsoft announced this week in its Xbox gaming division, the Halo series has been transferred to Activision. Marcus Lehto, one of the co-creators of the series, made statements regarding this decision. In his post, Lehto said he was "surprised but not entirely caught off guard" by the news of Halo Studios' closure and the series being handed over to an Activision team.
Lehto wished the best for all the developers affected by the decision, adding that he and players are eager to learn what comes next.
The New Team and the Future of Halo Studios
Activision confirmed that, although it is still at an early stage, the Halo game will be developed by a "new and purpose-built team" separate from the studios responsible for the annual Call of Duty titles. According to the company's statement, Halo Studios will continue to exist, but will operate at a smaller capacity following a new wave of layoffs. The studio will from now on focus on providing support for already-released Halo games and the wider Halo community.
Debates Over the Future of the Series
The Halo series has had an up-and-down history, and in 2026 the series' 25th anniversary will be celebrated. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma had previously stated that Microsoft wants to make Halo a flagship series again. Lehto, however, pointed out how costly such a revival would be.
Lehto also said he found the Halo: Combat Evolved remake "overly geared toward a new generation of players" and suggested that remaking the series would require a radical fresh start. According to him, the game's story universe has become "overly complicated," and Lehto stated that a "darker" and "more realistic" idea of Halo would be the right way to reboot the series, accepting that this would alienate some players even if it did. In his post in August, Lehto said, "PvP would be the brain, while PvE would be the heart and soul. It wouldn't be 'everyone's' Halo."
Other Developments in the Xbox Restructuring
As part of the recent developments referred to as the "Xbox reset," Playground Games and Turn 10 Studios have merged. The situation is said to be getting worse for Ninja Theory. Undead Labs, the developer of State of Decay 3, has found a new publisher, but at the same time has had to begin layoffs.
