Halo Studios Switches to Unreal Engine 5 to Make “The Best Possible” Halo Titles

Microsoft has confirmed the development of multiple new Halo games, coinciding with the rebranding of 343 Industries to "Halo Studios."

Xbox Game Studios' 343 Industries Rebrands as Halo Studios

Halo Studios Aims to Deliver the Halo Games Players Crave

Microsoft-owned Halo Studios (formerly 343 Industries) announced multiple Halo game projects are underway. This announcement marks a significant shift, with the studio rebranding to better reflect its singular focus on the Halo franchise.

"Halo's history has two distinct chapters: Bungie and 343 Industries," stated Studio Head Pierre Hintze. "Now, we're responding to player demand. We're not just improving development efficiency; we're reimagining how we create Halo games. This marks the start of a new chapter."

The studio will leverage Epic Games' Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) for future Halo titles. UE5 is renowned for its high-fidelity graphics and realistic physics, setting a new standard for the franchise. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney tweeted, "The first Halo redefined console gaming in 2001, and Halo has consistently pushed boundaries. Epic is honored Halo Studios chose our tools for their future endeavors!"

Halo's leadership outlined a renewed focus. Hintze explained, "We previously overemphasized supporting Halo Infinite. Switching to UE5 allows us to create more high-quality Halo games. Our singular goal is to deliver the best possible Halo experiences."

COO Elizabeth Van Wyck emphasized player feedback: "Success hinges on creating games players want. This restructuring empowers game developers to make key decisions. We're actively seeking broader player feedback to guide our direction. Ultimately, player evaluation is paramount."

Art Director Chris Matthew highlighted UE5's advantages: "Parts of our existing engine are nearly 25 years old. While continuously developed, Unreal offers capabilities unavailable to us, saving significant time and resources."

The transition 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 quickly, responding to player preferences." Halo Studios has begun recruitment for these new projects.