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Activision Confirmed to Develop the Next Halo Game as Xbox Restructures Studios
Activision is making the next Halo game. Xbox chief content officer Matt Booty confirmed the move in a blog post last week, alongside news of 268 additional layoffs affecting Halo Studios and other first-party teams as part of a broader restructuring across Xbox Game Studios.
The next Halo title will come from a new, purpose-built team inside Activision, built separately from the studio’s ongoing Call of Duty development.
What Xbox Announced
Activision’s expanded remit doesn’t stop at Halo. The publisher now also oversees World’s Edge, the studio behind Age of Empires, and Rare, the team behind titles like Sea of Thieves. Halo Studios, formerly known as 343 Industries, isn’t being shut down outright, but Booty confirmed its remaining staff will shift into a support role for existing Halo games and the wider community rather than leading new development.
Activision president Rob Kostich framed the move as a significant responsibility. “We’re thrilled to welcome Halo, Rare, and World’s Edge to Activision,” Kostich said in a statement. “For Halo, our goal is clear: make the greatest Halo game ever, worthy of its universe and legacy, while staying true to what made players love it in the first place.”
What’s Still Unknown
Beyond the bare confirmation, almost everything about Activision’s Halo project remains unconfirmed. No title, release window, or platform lineup has been announced. Reports citing people familiar with the project describe it as a “full feature, mainline installment,” though Microsoft hasn’t verified that characterization publicly.
The shift comes after Halo Studios had been developing multiple projects using Unreal Engine 5, including Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remake of the original Halo: Combat Evolved. It’s unclear how much of that existing work, if any, carries over to Activision’s new team, or whether remakes of Halo 2 and Halo 3 that were previously reported as under consideration remain part of the plan.
A Mixed Reaction From Fans
The restructuring has split community response. Some longtime fans see the move as a chance for fresh direction, given that Halo hasn’t matched its earlier peak under 343 Industries or Halo Studios across the last several entries. Others are skeptical that Activision, a studio built around Call of Duty’s fast-paced annual shooter formula, can translate that expertise into Halo’s slower, more tactical sandbox design.
Until Activision or Xbox share actual gameplay, specifics about the project remain speculation. The next real update is likely to come from a future Xbox showcase or through job listings tied to the new Halo team at Activision. For more on what else is shifting across Xbox’s first-party lineup, our Xbox Game Studios restructuring tracker covers the wider changes to Rare and World’s Edge as well.
FAQ
Is Activision making a new Halo game?
Yes. Xbox confirmed that a new, purpose-built team inside Activision is developing the next Halo title, separate from the studio’s Call of Duty development.
What happens to Halo Studios?
Halo Studios, formerly 343 Industries, isn’t closing, but its remaining staff will now act as a support team for existing Halo games and the community rather than leading new development.
Is the new Halo game a mainline entry?
Reports citing people familiar with the project describe it as a “full feature, mainline installment,” though Microsoft hasn’t officially confirmed that detail.
What platforms will the new Halo game be on?
Unknown. Microsoft hasn’t announced platforms, a release window, or a title for Activision’s Halo project yet.
Does Activision now control other Xbox studios too?
Yes. Alongside Halo, Activision’s remit has expanded to include World’s Edge (Age of Empires) and Rare (Sea of Thieves).
Activision Next Halo game
