The next Halo game for Xbox will be made by Activision. The Call of Duty developer will take over from Bungie and 343 Industries.
They have told The Hollywood Reporter it will be a “full-feature, mainline instalment”, so fans have taken this as ruling out any reboot or prequel.
Rob Kostich, the Activision president, said:
“For Halo, our goal is clear: make the greatest Halo game ever, worthy of its universe and legacy, while staying true to what made players love it in the first place. It is a bold ambition, one that this franchise deserves.
We have already begun assembling a purpose-built team, unique in capability and talent, ready and excited to deliver this next chapter with the community.”
This change is against the background of ongoing carnage in the video game industry, particularly at Xbox.
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is overseeing restructuring and the whole of the publisher and developer landscape is shifting.
Another 268 workers have been let go at Xbox, and Undead Labs is being spun out by its own management.
Bethesda is taking over Obsidian, Ninja Theory is closing down, Microsoft Casual Games is being merged with King.
After the great franchise wars, all game developers will be Activision. Or EA.
