Halo Infinite Design Head\'s Studio Halts Its First Game Project

Jar of Sparks, the game studio founded by former Halo Infinite design head Jerry Hook, has paused development on its debut project. The studio, operating under NetEase, is actively seeking a new publishing partner to realize its vision for a next-generation narrative-driven action game.

NetEase, a global gaming giant, currently supports live-service titles such as Once Human and Marvel Rivals. The latter, launched in December 2024, recently unveiled its Season 1 Battle Pass and is gearing up for the addition of the Fantastic Four in January 2025.

Hook's LinkedIn post confirmed the development halt, emphasizing the studio's commitment to finding a publisher that aligns with its creative goals. While layoffs weren't explicitly stated, Hook indicated team members will be exploring new opportunities, and the studio will assist in placing them with other companies. This mirrors the situation of GPTRACK50 Studios, another NetEase-backed studio founded by a veteran game developer.

The pause in development at Jar of Sparks comes amidst a period of transition for the Halo franchise. Following criticism of Halo Infinite's post-launch content and the Paramount+ series, 343 Industries has rebranded to Halo Studios and is shifting to Unreal Engine for future titles. This restructuring may signal a potential resurgence for the franchise.

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