Joeseph Staten, veteran of Halo development at both Bungie and 343 Industries, is reportedly departing Microsoft’s blockbuster space shooter franchise once again.
Staten will remain at Microsoft but is no longer at its Halo studio 343 Industries, Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier stated last night, after joining the company to ensure the beleaguered Halo Infinite made it out the door.
Last night, reports indicated that Microsoft’s enormous round of layoffs would impact several Xbox studios, with 343’s Halo Infinite campaign team in particular “hit hard”, according to Schreier.
Let’s Play Halo Infinite Multiplayer – HALO, IS IT ME YOU’RE LOOKING FOR?… Watch on YouTube
Halo Infinite officially launched a year late in December 2021 to a generally positive response, though the game has subsequently struggled to keep fans satisfied.
There’s been no word on future campaign content for the game – and last night’s news only begs further questions over Halo Infinite’s future.
Staten worked on the original Halo trilogy at Bungie and subsequently helped further develop the narrative of the franchise. While at Bungie, he also helped work on Destiny – though departed in 2013, a year before the game was ultimately released.