Microsoft has confirmed multiple new Halo games are in development, alongside the announcement of 343 Industries' rebranding to "Halo Studios."

Xbox Game Studios' 343 Industries Rebrands to Halo Studios

Halo Studios Aims to Create the Halo Games Players Crave

"Halo's history has two distinct chapters: Bungie and 343 Industries," said Studio Head Pierre Hintze. "Now, we see a huge demand for more. We're not just improving development efficiency; we're changing how we make Halo games. This marks the start of a new chapter."

The studio will utilize Epic Games' Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) for future Halo titles. UE5 is renowned for its high-quality graphics and realistic physics. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney tweeted, "The first Halo redefined console gaming in 2001, and Halo has consistently pushed boundaries. Epic is honored Halo Studios chose our tools for their future projects!"

Halo's lead developers outlined the franchise's new direction. Hintze explained, "We had an overemphasis on creating conditions for Halo Infinite's success." The shift to UE5 allows for higher-quality games. "Our singular focus is creating the best possible Halo games," he stated.

Halo franchise COO Elizabeth Van Wyck added, "Success hinges on building games players want. This new structure empowers game developers to make key decisions. We're actively seeking broader player feedback. Ultimately, player evaluation is paramount."

Studio Art Director Chris Matthew emphasized that the move to UE5 meets fan expectations. "Some components of Slipspace are nearly 25 years old," he explained. "While 343 continuously developed it, Unreal Engine offers features unavailable in Slipspace, features that would take immense time and resources to replicate."

UE5 also facilitates faster updates and content delivery. Van Wyck noted, "It's not just about development time, but also update speed and adapting to player desires." Halo Studios has begun hiring for these new projects.