Halo Studios Unveils Unreal Engine 5 for Immersive Future

Microsoft has confirmed the development of multiple new Halo games, alongside the rebranding of 343 Industries to "Halo Studios." This marks a significant shift for the studio responsible for the iconic military sci-fi franchise.

Xbox Game Studios' 343 Industries Rebrands to Halo Studios

Halo Studios Embarks on a New Era of Halo Game Development

Microsoft's announcement confirms multiple Halo projects are underway. Simultaneously, 343 Industries has been rebranded as Halo Studios, signaling a new chapter for the franchise.

Studio Head Pierre Hintze stated, "Halo has two distinct chapters: Bungie and 343 Industries. Now, we aim to deliver what the audience craves." He emphasized a shift not only in development efficiency but also in the fundamental approach to creating Halo games.

The studio's transition to Epic Games' Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) is a key element of this new strategy. UE5's reputation for high-quality graphics and realistic physics aligns perfectly with Halo Studios' ambition. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney tweeted, "Epic is honored that Halo Studios has chosen our tools for their future endeavors."

Halo's leadership team outlined their new direction. Hintze acknowledged a previous overemphasis on supporting Halo Infinite, stating the UE5 transition will facilitate the creation of higher-quality games. "Our singular focus is to create the best possible Halo games," he affirmed.

COO Elizabeth Van Wyck highlighted player feedback as central to their success: "Building games players want to play is key. This new structure empowers game developers to make crucial decisions." She emphasized a commitment to broader player input.

Studio Art Director Chris Matthew explained the technical advantages of UE5, citing the age of existing technology: "Some Slipspace components are nearly 25 years old. Unreal Engine offers capabilities unavailable to us, saving significant time and resources."

The move to UE5 also streamlines updates and content delivery. Van Wyck noted, "It's not just about development time, but also about updating and adding content based on player feedback." Halo Studios has begun recruitment for these new projects.