Don’t Expect a New Halo Game Anytime Soon
A recent report indicates that a small team at Halo Studios is putting together one final major content update for Halo: Campaign Evolved before the studio is likely shut down entirely. This team is reportedly not in contact with Activision, which now oversees the Halo franchise and is forming a new development team. This disconnect may explain why the previous developers shared concept art that hints at ideas for a sequel to Halo Infinite, which is now off the table. Instead, fans will have to wait for whatever Activision is planning.
On October 6, a well-known Halo insider shared a video report stating that around 30 team members, who were not part of the recent layoffs at Xbox, are still working on Halo: Campaign Evolved. This group, led by Halo Studios head Pierre Hintze, aims to contribute to the upcoming Halo Fest event while also crafting one last free content update for the remake.
According to the insider, this update is not just a minor patch with a few tweaks; the current plan includes adding Firefight and a Theater Mode to Campaign Evolved. Firefight, a beloved horde mode from previous titles like Halo: Reach, would be a fantastic addition, though the insider warns that plans may shift based on what the team can accomplish. It appears that once the team wraps up Halo Fest in December and the update, the studio will be completely closed.
The report also mentions that this small group of developers has no ties to Activision, which is now in charge of the Halo franchise. It seems that no one from Halo Studios is transitioning to the new team being assembled for the future of Halo under Activision. Given past rumors suggesting that Activision might be considering a soft or complete reboot of the franchise, it seems likely that the next Halo game is still years away and will differ significantly from what Halo Studios had envisioned.
However, we do have some insight into what could have been in a potential Halo 7 or sequel to Halo Infinite. Earlier this week, the team shared concept art featuring Forerunner structures, alien landscapes, and more. These images are believed to represent what might have been if Halo Studios had the chance to create another main installment. The insider noted that at least one image, showcasing large trees in a swampy area on Zeta Halo, was an idea from former Halo lead Joseph Staten before his departure in 2023. Other images were developed after he left, as Halo Studios explored concepts for Halo 7.
Despite the intriguing concept art, it seems that none of these ideas are on Activision’s radar as they begin their own development for the Halo franchise. For some fans, this might be a relief, as not everyone was satisfied with 343/Halo Studios’ direction in the series.
Nonetheless, the unveiling of this concept art is bittersweet for many. The glimpse of the Endless, an alien race seen in Infinite that was supposedly immune to the Halo rings, is particularly tantalizing. The Endless could have played a significant role in the reportedly canceled Halo Infinite DLC, potentially tying into the game’s iconic ending and a future Halo 7. Now, with those plans scrapped, many talented developers are left without work, and fans are likely facing a long wait for the next installment in the Halo series.
