Infinite Delay: Halo Studio's Debut Halts

Jar of Sparks, NetEase's Studio, Pauses First Game Project; Seeks New Publisher

Jerry Hook, former Halo Infinite design lead, announced that his studio, Jar of Sparks, a NetEase subsidiary, has temporarily halted development on its inaugural game project. Hook, who left 343 Industries and Microsoft in 2022 to found Jar of Sparks, described the project as a "next-generation narrative-driven action game." The studio's recent silence signaled potential challenges, culminating in the search for a new publishing partner.

NetEase, a global gaming giant, is currently supporting live-service titles like Once Human and Marvel Rivals. The latter, launched to considerable success, recently unveiled its Season 1 Battle Pass and anticipates the addition of the Fantastic Four on January 10th.

Hook's LinkedIn post confirmed the development pause, explaining that Jar of Sparks is actively seeking a publisher that can fully realize their creative vision. He expressed pride in the team's innovative work and bold risks taken to create something truly unique.

While layoffs weren't explicitly stated, Hook indicated the team will be exploring new opportunities, and a subsequent post confirmed efforts to place all team members in new roles as the first project concludes. This mirrors the experience of Hiroyuki Kobayashi, former Resident Evil producer, who also established a studio (GPTRACK50) with NetEase in 2022.

The news comes amidst a period of transition for the Halo franchise, marked by challenges with Halo Infinite's post-launch support and mixed reception of the Paramount+ series. However, 343 Industries' rebranding to Halo Studios and the shift to Unreal Engine suggest a potential resurgence for the franchise.

Meanwhile, Jar of Sparks' temporary suspension of development offers a pause for reflection before the studio embarks on its next chapter. The search for a new publishing partner will determine the future direction of their ambitious project.

[See at Official Site]