Microsoft’s massive layoff extends to its gaming subsidiaries. Game developers such as Bethesda, The Coalition, and 343 Industries have been affected by the job cuts. Among the studios, 343 Industries may have been hit the hardest, according to internal sources.
Last week, Microsoft announced that it is letting go of 10,000 employees, which make up almost 5% of its total workforce. Soon after, rumors started to swirl that Halo’s development may be moved to another studio with 343 taking on a producer role.
The speculation prompted 343 to address the layoffs on social media. Studio head Pierre Hintze posted a message on 343’s official Twitter page assuring fans that Halo Infinite will still be around despite the job cuts.
“Halo and Master Chief are here to stay,” Hintze tweeted. “343 Industries will continue to develop Halo now and in the future, including epic stories, multiplayer, and more of what makes Halo great.”
— Halo (@Halo) January 21, 2023
343 Industries has struggled to put out content for Halo Infinite after the game was released in 2021. Updates and feature release dates were delayed last year. The studio finally released the Winter update in November but had to remove some promised features.
However, 343 may have been affected much more than it is letting on. IGN reports that “significant cuts have been made to 343’s Halo development team.”
A former staff member included in the layoffs revealed that a quarter of 343’s employees were affected by the job cuts. However, the exact number of staff members involved has not been revealed. Sources also shared that 30 people were let go from the art department alone.
According to insiders, 343 Industries was hit “hard with positions impacted across all disciplines.”
A senior-level source also revealed that the studio is being reduced to a publishing team. The staff member is no longer with 343 but is familiar with the inner workings of the studio. The situation is still ongoing but the source insists that another studio will be working with 343 on Halo when things settle down.
343 Industries is still reeling from the departure of key people in 2022. Studio founder Bonnie Ross, creative director Tom French and lead narrative designer Aaron Linde all left the company last year. Game director Joseph Staten is also leaving 343 to rejoin Xbox Publishing, causing concern among Halo fans.
Halo’s former senior multiplayer designer Tom Wren recently shared on Twitter a scathing assessment of the studio’s leadership.
“The layoffs at 343 shouldn’t have happened and Halo Infinite should be in a better state,” Wren tweeted. “The reason for both of those things is incompetent leadership up top during Halo Infinite development causing massive stress on those working hard to make Halo the best it can be.”
The layoffs at 343 shouldn't have happened and Halo Infinite should be in a better state. The reason for both of those things is incompetent leadership up top during Halo Infinite development causing massive stress on those working hard to make Halo the best it can be.
— Patrick Wren (@Witdarkstar) January 19, 2023
Halo Infinite Season 3: Echoes Within is scheduled to release in early March. The new season promises to add new maps, modes, and weapons to the first-person shooter. Hopefully, the upcoming studio will not be affected by the job cuts.
