Halo Studios Switches to Unreal Engine 5 to Make “The Best Possible” Halo Titles

Microsoft has confirmed multiple new Halo games are in development, alongside the announcement of 343 Industries' rebranding to "Halo Studios."

Xbox Game Studios' 343 Industries Rebrands to Halo Studios

Halo Studios Aims to Create the Halo Games Players Crave

"Halo's history has two distinct chapters: Bungie and 343 Industries," Studio Head Pierre Hintze explained in a recent announcement. "Now, we see a player base eager for more. We're not just improving development efficiency; we're changing the recipe for making Halo games. This marks the start of a new chapter."

The studio will leverage Epic Games' Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) for upcoming Halo titles. UE5's reputation for delivering visually stunning and physically realistic games is well-established. "The original Halo redefined console gaming in 2001, and throughout its history, Halo has pushed the boundaries of gameplay, storytelling, and music," Epic CEO Tim Sweeney tweeted. "Epic is honored that Halo Studios chose our tools for their future endeavors!"

Halo's lead developers outlined the franchise's new direction. Hintze acknowledged a previous overemphasis on supporting Halo Infinite, stating that the shift to UE5 allows for higher-quality games. "Our singular focus is creating the best possible Halo games," he emphasized.

Halo franchise COO Elizabeth Van Wyck added, "Success hinges on building games players want to play. This new structure empowers the game developers to make key decisions. We're actively seeking broader player feedback to guide our direction. Ultimately, player evaluation is paramount."

Studio Art Director Chris Matthew explained that the move to UE5 addresses limitations of the previous engine, Slipspace. "Some Slipspace components are nearly 25 years old," he noted. "While 343 continuously developed it, Unreal offers features unavailable in Slipspace, features that would require immense time and resources to replicate."

UE5 also streamlines updates and new content delivery. Van Wyck stated, "It's not just about faster game releases but also quicker updates, new content, and responsiveness to player desires." With their plans underway, Halo Studios has begun recruiting for these new projects.