After a long journey under the name 343 Industries, the development team behind the Halo franchise has rebranded to Halo Studios. It has been confirmed that multiple new Halo games are already in the works.

Fans of the Halo universe can look forward to these upcoming titles being powered by Unreal Engine 5, which promises to bring the franchise back to its roots as a graphics showcase.

This monumental change was revealed during the Halo World Championship event, signaling a major shift not only in the tools used to craft the next Halo experiences but also in the overall direction of the franchise.

Halo Infinite will still be supported for the foreseeable future, but the team is placing a much greater focus on developing new games, facilitated by Unreal Engine’s flexibility and cutting-edge capabilities.

A New Name, A New Chapter

For over a decade, 343 Industries carried the torch passed on from Bungie, the original creators of Halo.

Now, the team is starting fresh with the new name Halo Studios. The head of the studio, Pierre Hintze, explained the transition: “If you really break Halo down, there have been two very distinct chapters. Chapter 1 – Bungie. Chapter 2 – 343 Industries. Now, I think we have an audience which is hungry for more.”

This rebranding isn’t just a cosmetic change; it’s part of a broader restructuring that places the developers in the best positions to deliver high-quality, innovative gaming experiences.

Halo Studios wants to create games that echo the excitement and legacy of Halo’s past, but with a renewed focus on modern gaming expectations.

The Switch to Unreal Engine

One of the biggest changes accompanying the announcement of multiple new Halo games is the decision to leave behind the Slipspace Engine in favor of the Unreal Engine.

Slipspace was initially built to power Halo Infinite, but it became clear that it was no longer providing the flexibility the studio needed to keep up with modern game development.

According to Pierre Hintze, “On Halo Infinite, we were developing a tech stack that was supposed to set us up for the future, and games at the same time.”

However, this focus on a proprietary engine became a bottleneck. With the move to Unreal, the team at Halo Studios now has more freedom to create multiple games without being tied down by the limitations of Slipspace.

This decision is more than just a technical shift. It represents a significant leap forward for the franchise, allowing developers to push the boundaries of what’s possible in terms of both graphics and gameplay.

Daniel Henley, the lead FX artist for Project Foundry (a demonstration of Unreal Engine’s capabilities), highlighted how Unreal is helping the team revisit the franchise’s roots as a graphics powerhouse: “The original Halo franchise was a graphics showcase, it was best-in-class… and that’s what Halo needs to be again.”

Multiple New Halo Games In Development

Unlike the development process for Halo Infinite, which saw the studio putting all its resources into a single game, Halo Studios is now working on multiple projects at once.

Pierre Hintze explained, “We had a disproportionate focus on trying to create the conditions to be successful in servicing Halo Infinite. Switching to Unreal allows us to put all the focus on making multiple new experiences at the highest quality possible.”

It’s worth noting that while the new games are in development, no announcements are imminent, meaning fans will have to be patient for further details.

However, the studio has made it clear that feedback from players will play a vital role in shaping the new experiences.

Elizabeth van Wyck, the COO of Halo Studios, highlighted this collaborative approach: “At the end of the day, it’s not just how do we evaluate, it’s how do our players evaluate it?”

This transparency and willingness to engage with the community is something fans are likely to appreciate, as it suggests that the next wave of Halo games will be influenced by the player base.

Halo Infinite Support Continues

Despite the focus on future projects, Halo Infinite is not being abandoned. The game and the Slipspace Engine that powers it will continue to be supported.

This is reassuring for fans who have invested time and energy into the game since its release.

While Halo Infinite may represent the “last remnants” of how the franchise used to operate, it remains an important part of the overall Halo ecosystem, and Halo Studios plans to ensure it continues to receive attention.

Reorganization and Expansion

The switch to Unreal Engine and the rebranding to Halo Studios have also led to internal restructuring.

This reorganization aims to place developers in roles where they can make the most important impact. The studio wants to empower the people who are actively developing the games to make key decisions.

Halo Studios is actively hiring for several new positions, including creative director, senior technical designer, and more.

What’s Next for Halo?

Though there isn’t much concrete information on the specifics of the new Halo games just yet, it’s clear that Halo Studios is working hard behind the scenes to ensure the franchise evolves and stays relevant in an ever-changing gaming landscape.

By shifting to Unreal Engine, reorganizing its teams, and prioritizing multiple new game experiences, the studio seems poised to deliver the best of what the Halo franchise can offer.

Fans can expect visually stunning worlds, immersive gameplay, and a return to the franchise’s roots, all while being part of the conversation on what comes next.