The Halo series, which holds a very special place for Xbox, is entering a new era starting today. The Halo series will now be developed under the control of Activision and the future of the series will be entrusted to this group.

The series, which was first developed by Bungie and later transferred to the Halo Studios unit established by Microsoft, is changing hands with a strategic change. The responsibility for developing the next Halo game will no longer be undertaken by Halo Studios, but by Activision.

Major layoffs at Halo Studios

This fundamental change is a result of the restructuring process that has been ongoing on the Xbox side for some time. Microsoft, while deciding to close or make independent many studios in recent times, is largely liquidating Halo Studios.

In a statement made simultaneously with Activision’s announcement, it was stated that 268 people working within Xbox would be laid off. It is said that a large portion of these layoffs include Halo Studios employees.

Although the studio has been largely emptied, Halo Studios is not being completely shut down for now. A small remaining group will continue to provide support for existing Halo games.

Call of Duty group merges with Halo

Activision, which currently manages the development processes of the Call of Duty series, has added another of Xbox’s most valuable brands to its portfolio with this change. Xbox management emphasizes that the Call of Duty and Halo series will be run by independent groups.

Although it’s stated that the same employee won’t work on both series simultaneously, the team preparing the new Halo game will consist of individuals who have previously worked on Call of Duty projects. This situation could have significant effects on the future game mechanics and development methods of the series.

Microsoft’s decision can be valued as a step towards more efficient use of resources in the gaming world. The company aims for success by entrusting its main series to more experienced groups that have undertaken large-scale projects.

Given Halo Studios’ past successes, it remains to be seen how this transition will affect fans. In particular, whether the iconic structure of the series will be preserved is among the most debated topics in the gaming world.

Activision’s commercial success with Call of Duty could serve as a reference point for the future sales and player base goals of the Halo series. However, the fact that both series have different dynamics could create difficulties in the development process.

Xbox management aims to create a more focused and efficient work model with this restructuring. Studio mergers and layoffs can also be interpreted as a reflection of the general downsizing trend in the division.

Time will tell what path the Halo series will take in the new period and what vision Activision will bring to this brand. How do you think the transfer of the Halo series to Activision will affect the future of the game?