270°

How Can the Same Studio Killing Halo Save It?

"343 Industries – now known as Halo Studios – announced "a new dawn" for Halo this week. What exactly does this mean? Good question. It is certainly not a new dawn from 343 Industries. It apparently means the "next chapter" for the series complete with a switch to Unreal Engine 5. If this gives you deja-vu, it is because 343 Industries and Xbox made similar promises with Halo Infinite, complete with an -- you guessed it -- engine switch. Previously, it was the Slipspace Engine, which 343 Industries spent untold millions creating for Halo Infinite, that was the future of the franchise. But like the legacy of 343 Industries, it is now being flushed down the drain."

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comicbook.com
Obscure_Observer203d ago (Edited 203d ago )

343i ditched Slipspace Engine for Unreal just like CDPR ditched REDengine and Square Enix ditched Luminous Engine.

And yes. Thank God, t´s the same team whose been ahead of the franchise for decades now.

343i fans like myself has all reasons in the world to be excited by their next UE5 powered Halo game. Haters will continue to hate.

And no, as much as I love the original trilogy, I don´t want to play as Master Chief weighting a ton that can´t even run.

I always though of Master Chief as a mix of Captain America and Iron Man. And I love how playing as Master Chief in Infinite makes me feel like an actual unstoppable war machine rather than a slow tank.

jwillj2k4203d ago

All they did was talk about how great unreal 5 is as if graphics was the main problem of their games. Plus master chief looks like the same model used in Concord. DEI’s gonna getcha… DEI’s gonna getcha DEi’s gonna getcha…

just_looken203d ago

They need to let master chief go we need a new arc

The design well look at halo infinite armor right now extreme few are decent at best

jwillj2k4202d ago (Edited 202d ago )

@just_looken

A question for you. Ask yourself why they’re using a establish franchises to push their narrative and not creating new ips? What would happen if they tried this with a new IP?

202d ago
DreadfulHero202d ago

Not even close. Who are you, Melonie Mac? Get an original thought.

CosmicTurtle202d ago

@jwillj2k4

It’s only you shoehorning your political agenda into this topic which was not even mentioned in the article and has literally nothing to do with recent failings of the franchise. Seriously, it’s so tedious.

Lexreborn2202d ago

Bro did not scream DEI for a suit, lmfao I’m done with this community.

Games_People_Play202d ago

@jwillj2k4

Q: “ A question for you. Ask yourself why they’re using an establish franchises to push their narrative and not creating new ips? What would happen if they tried this with a new IP?”

🙋🏾‍♂️ /raises hand
A: Concord?

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 202d ago
Einhander1972203d ago

Hopefully by 2030 Sweeny will have finished UE5 and Microsoft can actually make a UE5 game that's more than 25 fps.

203d ago
Obscure_Observer202d ago (Edited 202d ago )

"Hopefully by 2030 Sweeny will have finished UE5 and Microsoft can actually make a UE5 game that's more than 25 fps."

Take your time and enjoy the waiting, because next month I´ll be enjoying S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 powered by UE5 running at 60fps on my Series X.

Next year I´ll be enjoying South of Midnight and in 2026 I´ll be playing Perfect Dark both powered by UE5 at 60fps and in 2026.

I told you before, dude. You don´t know nothing about UE5 and you apparently know even less about Xbox games.

Just stick with whatever Sony has in store for you and happy gaming.

202d ago
Einhander1972202d ago

Obscure_Observer

I know xbox games will play best on PS5 Pro.

202d ago
+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 202d ago
RaidenBlack203d ago

Square Enix's Luminous Engine was pretty promising ... hope they don't totally abandon it.
FFXV was limited by previous gen ... and Forspoken was just poorly designed and produced.

VenomUK202d ago

@Obscure_Observer: “And yes. Thank God, it’s the same team who’s been ahead of the franchise for decades now.”

I read somewhere that the majority of the Bonnie Ross-era 343i team is gone. I don’t know if that’s true but it would be great to have a breakdown of staff changes major departures and new arrivals.

MrBaskerville202d ago

Forspoken actually had pretty good combat, it's just that they ended up creating a very weird and underwhelming game around it. Feels like they had no idea what to do with the world in this game.

anast202d ago

As Bloopy stated, putting someone from marketing at the helm is going to lower the quality of their games.

gold_drake202d ago

again, propaganda talk.

where do you come up with this stuff lol

1Victor202d ago (Edited 202d ago )

@obscured: “ powered by UE5 running at 60fps on my Series X”
🤣🤦🏿 so you’re telling us with a straight face Microsoft is going to discontinue their top sales console/ anchor and release a 60FPS, check your notifications 🎼 You got a message from your better help counselor. 🤣
Oops forgot the article comment
2 things can be true at the same time for example by firing a bunch of employees and team leadership a studio that was killing a franchise can do a 180* and save it with new blood and new directions like A NEW EASY TO USE ENGINE

Notellin202d ago

As a Halo fan I'm ashamed to count you amongst our ranks with this horrible opinion.

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 202d ago
porkChop203d ago

They scrapped the engine that caused them a ton of development issues, axed the management, and hired a bunch of new devs. I'm not saying the next game will be a guaranteed hit or anything, but Halo Studios isn't just the exact same studio as before.

isarai203d ago

Exactly, some sort of change will follow with all them changes, positive or negative we'll just have to wait and see

Notellin202d ago

The UE5 tech demo gave me the same exact feeling as when I saw the Slipspace tech demo.

That entire Slipspace demo ended up being bullshots and the final game was a significant downgrade from anything shown in that demo.

I expect more of the same here.

jwillj2k4203d ago (Edited 203d ago )

Watch their teaser trailer on youtube and youll see its more of the same starting with the chief of staff having a gay pride flag streaming across her microsoft profile. Nothing wrong with being gay but that aint HALO. They also kept their same employees.

porkChop202d ago

Why does a someone being gay even matter to you? You think not a single person that worked on the originals were gay or celebrated pride? People are allowed to make games regardless of their sexual orientation.

AndrewM202d ago

@porkchop

He doesn't actually care, he's just repeating what he's been brainwashed into repeating, he thinks he cares about it, but really he just believes what he's told too by whoever he reads and listens too.

CosmicTurtle202d ago

So you find nothing wrong with being gay? But are fixated on this minor detail that barely has any bearing on the game?

Seriously buddy, you can just let that go from your life you’ll be happier. Even if they turn out to be terrible at the job, I guarantee it will have nothing to do with a flag in a profile any more than what laundry detergent they use.

MrBaskerville202d ago

At this point I hope they turn the game uber gay, just so you pricks are as miserable as possible.

jwillj2k4202d ago

Its not someone, its Master Chief. An established already existing video game character changing him into being gay is nothing but pushing an agenda.

Charlieboy333202d ago

@ Porky I think a more important question is.....were they hired because of their gayness ( i.e. to tick a box ) or because of their skill? It's a valid question, considering the track record of companies who view which hole you like to screw as more important than your skill and ability.

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 202d ago
Charlieboy333202d ago

I still can't understand why an engine that THEY developed from scratch specifically for Halo games caused them issues. I mean it was custom made by them for themselves and it still sucked. How the hell ?

jwillj2k4202d ago

They don’t have the technical skill to modify. It is what it comes down to. The engines not broken plenty of halo games have come from it. They’re saying theyre moving away from tech/engineering to become a design/creative shop not understanding that AAA video games require good software engineers regardless of what engine you use.

Charlieboy333202d ago

@jwikllj2k4 I was under the impression that the slipspace engine was specifically created for Infinite?

jwillj2k4202d ago

@Charlieboy333

Its an updated Blam engine. Its been around forever.

RaiderNation196d ago

They switched to Unreal to make it easier to port, plain and simple. Halo is coming to PS5/Switch 2.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 196d ago
trez1082202d ago

Yes the engine change is a good start.

Pyrofire95202d ago

Yeah, unfortunately creating a modern engine, while developing a game is such an enormous burden. Not surprising to see the shift.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 196d ago
Goodguy01203d ago (Edited 203d ago )

What a mess. I still can't believe Mcsft still wants em to head the development of halo still. If their next halo fails, mcsft really needs to axe them.

Pyrofire95202d ago

A studio isn't the name, it's the people. As long as they get the right people there and they aren't held back by creating the tracks they're riding on, then it should be an improvement.

raWfodog203d ago

"How Can the Same Studio Killing Halo Save It?"

Apparently, by just using a new engine 😁

Jin_Sakai203d ago

Well they did clean house and showed Bonnie Ross the door which was a much needed. We can only wait and see I guess.

PapaBop203d ago

Typical MS bollocks really, smoke and mirrors.

Hofstaderman202d ago (Edited 202d ago )

Same question can be asked for XBOX management:

" How can the same Phil killing XBOX save it?"

Change has to start at the top then filter through to the studios. Same head, same rot.

Einhander1972203d ago

By begging PlayStation to sell it for them.

Rude-ro203d ago

Microsoft has “selling” in the bag…
They spend billions in marketing.
It is what they are selling that is the issue.

“Do not sell what the people want, make the people buy what you are selling.
Bill Gates.

Charlieboy333202d ago

Well I ain't buying what xbox is peddling.....and neither are xbox gamers

203d ago
Show all comments (68)
100°

Marathon is doomed — ARC Raiders is already a much better extraction shooter

Windows Central: “Embark Studios' ARC Raiders is the extraction shooter I've been waiting for. Here's why it's better than Bungie's upcoming Marathon.”

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windowscentral.com
_SilverHawk_1h ago(Edited 1h ago)

This is silly. I think both games are amazing. Both games can be very successful at the same time and I hope they are.

z2g1h ago

I hate articles like this. “My opinion is all that matters. Click my stuff”. Both games will have their audiences. Some ppl like rock. Some ppl like rap. Not everyone is the same.

z2g1h ago

So we can we can see into the future now? I’m sure ARC is fine, me personally? Far more interested in Marathon. Between known Bungie’s solid gameplay and world building to the aesthetics and concept, I’m all in on Marathon.

jjb19811h ago

I played the Technical Test 2 earlier today and had a blast. I got thrown in an instance, saw a guy walking up some stairs, started shooting at him and watched him run for his life. It was funny until I got killed by some random drones. They're both different games and will have their space. Only the gameplay loop will tell.

pwnmaster30001h ago

Why do gamers/gamejournalist do this? We need to stop with all this doom article game shit.

lodossrage57m ago

windowscentral wouldn't have wrote this "piece" if Bungie was still owned by Microsoft.

And yes, I'm implying exactly what anyone reading this comment thinks.

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240°

Microsoft CEO Boasts Gaming Success Across Xbox, PlayStation, PC Game Pass, and More

Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella shared a bullish report on the performance of the Xbox gaming business also on PlayStation.

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simulationdaily.com
23h ago
Christopher22h ago

I'm kind of hoping they drop most hardware support here with a 'good enough console' next generation and focus more on being a publisher. Obviously that is doing well for them and they can still push cloud gaming since it's going to tons of smart TVS and devices. They're now the largest video game publisher in the world, if they aren't doing the most sales and pre-orders, then they would be in trouble. They aren't.

Lightning7717h ago

They're gonna try again with a new gen console. If they want to compete they need to actually be competive. Say games like Halo, Blade Elder Scrolls or whatever big game it is. Needs to only be on Xbox and PC. If those games go multiplat it needs to be after a few years or at least a year later definitely not 6 months as a good portion of ppl will wait. Knowing MS they'll probably try and compete, then when things don't go there way they pivot and change the metrics again.

crazyCoconuts12h ago

I don't think you're reading the tea leaves here. Leadership hasn't used the word "exclusive" in quite a while, and they're now boasting about PS sales. They're probably done with consoles and exclusive at this point.

DodoDojo12h ago

I don't think they'll try. They have been beating a dead horse for so long now and they have finally realized it isn't going nowhere.

Fearmonkey9h ago

MS is going to drop being hardware exclusive, they are going publisher and subscription. You will be able to buy a Xbox, but you will be able to play on any platform, that's their new goal. After the hit with Oblivion remastered and major sales on PS5, no more Xbox/PC exclusives long term..

rlow19h ago

I think with the latest price hike on their console, they’re well on their way to axing hardware.

Christopher8h ago

Hardware axing entirely is bad news. They've sold most of their hardware on the Series S this generation. I think if they capture a lower hardware market that can still buy games (especially on sale), they'll actually hit a good market considering how the economy is going. Especially in the U.S. People are going to want to keep gaming and streaming isn't that good for online gaming at all.

Lightning779h ago

@crazy they've stated multiple times they're going another gen. The next gen Controller even got leaked.

Tired of repeating myself whenever it comes to this subject of Xbox having another gen.

IRetrouk6h ago

Xbox consoles are done, all we gonna get is some branded 3rd party shite at best, ms aint interested in being a console manufacturer no more, this much is obvious.

hiawa236h ago(Edited 6h ago)

Microsoft has too much money for that. They are rumored to release a PC/console hybrid in 2026. They will push all you hope as a publisher while having new hardware next year, so the games will appear on their platform and every other platform which is good to me if the goal is to sell software. If that is where the money is why would anyone fault MS for that? The prices are going to be insane for the next PlayStation and console from Microsoft, though, but it is what they voted for, so this is what we got.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 6h ago
Obscure_Observer14h ago

“We continue to transform the business and focus on margin expansion as we bring our games to over 500 million monthly active users across devices. We ended the quarter as the top publisher by pre-orders and pre-installs on both Xbox and PlayStation Store.”

Amazing news!

Xbox reigning within rival territory.

Big slap in the face of haters who used to crap on Xbox´s games and its quality.

IAMRealHooman13h ago

........you must be part owl, you keep 180ing, your position.

-Foxtrot6h ago

One minute he says that they will NEVER go third party

Now he's all for it like this was Microsofts grand master plan all along.

Obscure_Observer3h ago(Edited 3h ago)

@-Foxtrot

"One minute he says that they will NEVER go third party"

Fact.

"Now he's all for it like this was Microsofts grand master plan all along."

False.

Never said it was Microsoft´s master plan all along. But it is REALLY working for us, as the fact that you´ll be able to enjoy Xbox gamers isn´t killing us. Rather the contrary, we are happy that everybody is funding our games on Gamepass.

Specially now with the imminent new $80 price tag for Xbox first party games.

It is what it is.

IAMRealHooman11h ago

how about that massive price hike?

Relientk778h ago

He loves it. Now he gets to support the trillion dollar company even more by giving them more of his money.

Reaper22_8h ago

I agree.. great news for Microsoft and tbe xbox brand. Your Playstation is now a xbox. Microsoft wasn't kidding around when they said xbox will be everywhere. Now they are laughing all the way to the bank. Imo sony needs to do similar things. They're putting their biggest titles on PC. Might as well bring them over to other consoles too. They aren't making much on console sales.

IAMRealHooman6h ago

Of course MS wants PlayStation owners, their is literally twice as many of them.

andy857h ago

Theres been one game in the last few years that's been good. Indy. Long way to go before you start talking about their games and their quality

Bathyj5h ago

Xbox gamers really are the strangest demographic. Not so long ago you are all saying PlayStation isn't the competition Amazon is because Phil said so. You love to parrot what your corporate talking say. That wasn't actually true Xbox and PlayStation were in direct competition but because Xbox was losing so badly Phil had to act like they weren't.

Cut to present day and Xbox and PlayStation aren't competition because Xbox has no hardware presence it's zero. In fact Microsoft is now a third party publisher and they need PlayStation they don't need Xbox or Xbox gamers they need PlayStation gamers and PC gamers and mobile phone gamers and switch gamers.

You're here cheering for the fact you've become irrelevant because you think it's important that your uncle Phil is making money. You think PlayStation gamers are upset if Microsoft releases more good games in a year than sony does. when Microsoft makes a good game you shout take that playstation!

PlayStation gamers simply say thank you I will third party publisher that makes me games

Reaper22_4h ago(Edited 4h ago)

I think you're confused. Microsoft never saw Sony as their biggest competitor. They've reiterated it for years. Sony is doing the same thing by putting their biggest franchises on PC, which is OK with Microsoft. Their will be more playstaion games coming to Microsoft ecosystems. Maybe not to xbox consoles but playstation won't be the only place you can play their games. Kind of how it is now. I would bet that they are making plans to do just that but they probably fear the backlash from their fanbase which is silly because noone is gonna stop playing games just because it's on on another platform.

Obscure_Observer3h ago

"Cut to present day and Xbox and PlayStation aren't competition because Xbox has no hardware presence it's zero."

If that was remotely true you wouldn´t be so mad about Xbox gamers getting day one games on Gamepass that you have to pay full price for.

"PlayStation gamers simply say thank you I will third party publisher that makes me games"

And we´re thankful for Playstation gamers supporting Xbox games funding our day one games on Gamepass.

Like I said: Everybody wins.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 3h ago
MrDead13h ago

We brought two of the biggest publishers in the world, cost thousands of people their livelihoods and consolidated a huge part of the industry, look how successful we are at gaming!

crazyCoconuts12h ago

Top Secret Strategy for How to Become the Biggest Publisher in the World:
1. Buy everybody

The3faces11h ago

And this has been standard business practice in every industry. Don't hate the player hate the game! lol

Reaper22_8h ago

Buy everybody....if you can.

Obscure_Observer9h ago

I have no doubt that the vast majority of developers and studios will be looking at Microsoft as far job security is a concern.

Microsoft will allow its studios to release their games to every single platform, which means more investment on new games, more money, more jobs positions, better payment, benefits and recognition among gamers worldwide.

You though MS would crash and burn

You want MS to leave gaming forever but GAMERS clearly wants otherwise.

You said MS doesn´t know how to make great games but Xbox games dominating sales on Playstation clearly says otherwise.

Now you also have Playstation gamers to blame for helping the rich to get richer.

I warned you. You were on a fool´s errand all the time.

Now all you can do is watch as MS and Xbox gaming grows bigger and better than ever and release games for everyone!

crazyCoconuts5h ago

At the end of this road, Bethesda, Activision, etc, will still be releasing games for everyone and Xbox consoles will be no more.

If that's what you claim to have foreseen, then congratulations, you win.

MrDead2h ago

You think three major publishers no longer competing and thousands fired to feed the piggies at MS is a good thing, I don't.

More and more owned by fewer and fewer is what you're cheering for, all that leads to is $80 first party games kid.

Luc2013h ago

When you have to say that something was a success, it means it wasn't

Show all comments (43)
50°

From Arcade to Digital Distribution: PM Studios' CEO Reflects on 20 Years in the Industry

In a Game Rant interview, PM Studios CEO Michael Yum talks about his long career, his involvement in LvL Up Expo, and more.

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gamerant.com