“Why would 343 Industries supervise when they…”: Halo in for a Shock Change as Microsoft Loses Faith After Multiple Failures
It's more bad news for Xbox, as Microsoft has left Halo's future uncertain.
It’s another blow for Xbox fans as 343 Industries, the studio behind Halo Infinite has stepped back from the franchise, as Microsoft has lost faith in its work. It’s an announcement that has drawn sharp reactions from fans of the iconic franchise.
343 Industries’ departure from Halo could not come at a worse time for Microsoft, as the Xbox has begun to lose ground to Sony’s PlayStation and other rivals like the Nintendo Switch and Steam. While that may not be a reason for concern considering Microsoft’s push for cross-platform compatibility on its titles, reactions to its latest announcements may indicate otherwise.
A Troubled Decade for 343 Industries’ Take on Halo
While it may seem surprising that Microsoft has made this decision after the critical and commercial success of Halo Infinite, it is important to remember that its latest installment came with a very troubled cycle of development, along with multiple delays in the project before the game was released to its audiences.
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From the infamous graphical controversy emerging from one of the game’s early gameplay showcases to a host of other problems, Halo Infinite saw its fair share of criticism from players and industry veterans alike. All of these factors may have played a role in 343 Industries’ departure from Halo – even as it continues to support Forge Mode, a mode allowing players to customize their own maps.
Could Microsoft Choose a New Studio to Move Halo Forward?
Speculation is rife about the way forward for Halo, with fan reactions to Microsoft’s announcement ranging from approval to hope that the company picks a studio that could bring Halo back to its former glory.
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The post below showcases these sentiments, with a range of responses that demonstrate just how much Xbox players would love to see a Halo game done right.
Some fans are hopeful of a collaboration between Microsoft and Sony, arguing that the winners would be the Halo franchise and its fans.
Other fans suggested a couple of other alternatives in case Sony proved to be out of reach.
Other reactions prove just how valuable Halo has been to Xbox over the years.
Other fans are concerned about 343 Industries continuing to play a supervisory role for future Halo titles.
While it’s certainly sad to see the talent at 343 Industries losing out on another opportunity to make a great Halo game and perhaps fix the mistakes it has made in the past, perhaps a change in studios could be just what the franchise needs.
At a time when Xbox is desperate for a win, perhaps the next Halo game could help it regain some lost ground against its rivals. The fierce competition in the console space, however, could make that very challenging indeed.
