Halo Infinite Lead Studio Shelves First Game Project

Jar of Sparks, NetEase's Studio, Pauses First Game Project; Seeks New Publisher

Jerry Hook, former Halo Infinite design lead, announced that his studio, Jar of Sparks, a NetEase subsidiary, has temporarily halted development on its debut project. Hook, who left 343 Industries and Microsoft in 2022 to found Jar of Sparks, described the initial project as a "next-generation narrative-driven action game." The studio's recent silence signaled potential challenges, culminating in the decision to seek a new publishing partner capable of realizing their creative vision.

NetEase, a global gaming giant, concurrently supports live-service titles including Once Human and Marvel Rivals. The latter, launched in December 2024, recently unveiled its Season 1 Battle Pass and is gearing up for the introduction of the Fantastic Four on January 10th.

Hook's LinkedIn post confirmed the development pause while the team searches for a suitable publisher. He expressed pride in the groundwork laid, highlighting the team's ambitious approach and commitment to innovation. While layoffs weren't explicitly stated, Hook indicated team members would be exploring new opportunities, and a subsequent post confirmed efforts to place everyone in new roles as the first project concludes. This situation mirrors that of Hiroyuki Kobayashi, former Resident Evil producer, who also established a studio (GPTRACK50) under NetEase in 2022.

The Halo franchise, Hook's previous domain, has faced its share of post-launch challenges with Halo Infinite. However, with 343 Industries' rebranding to Halo Studios and a shift to Unreal Engine, the franchise may be poised for a resurgence. Meanwhile, Jar of Sparks' temporary hiatus presents both an opportunity and a challenge for the studio's future.

[See at Official Site]