Phil Spencer, head of Xbox at Microsoft, shared his commitment to the Halo franchise and 343 Industries during an interview after this week’s Xbox and Bethesda Developer Direct showcase. He gave IGN a resounding message of trust in the team behind it: “The heart and soul of Halo are with 343… I have complete assurance in their leadership skills and plan for the future.”
Despite the Layoffs, Microsoft Will Continue to Support Halo
Spencer’s remarks follow Microsoft‘s recent large-scale firings, where 343 Industries were apparently “hit hard,” and the exact number of laid-off employees is unknown. Last weekend, Jason Schreier from Bloomberg reported that Halo Infinite’s campaign team witnessed significant reductions in personnel. In response to this news, Pierre Hintze–343 Industries‘ studio head–released a short statement saying: “Halo and Master Chief are here to stay! 343 Industries will continue creating legendary stories within their diverse multiplayer universe and other aspects which make Halo remarkable.”
Spencer remarked that Microsoft‘s goal with the layoffs was to enable 343 Industries to be prepared for what lies ahead. He stated, “We want our leadership team to have the freedom of devising a strategy that will ensure success in all aspects – most notably Halo and its subsequent growth through 343.” It is clear from Spencer’s words that Halo remains an integral part of Xbox, and 343 is essential for its success.
Spencer Refused to Go into Details
Dismayingly, Spencer refused to provide any details about the franchise’s future beyond his general statements. When asked if Microsoft still maintains its 10-year support plan for Halo Infinite, he simply replied: “I’ll let 343 speak on their existing plans.” To assuage any concerns from Halo fans about Master Chief’s fate, he ensured that the beloved franchise would be supported for as long as Xbox remains a platform.
You may also be interested in this content: Apple ‘s New “Crash Detection” Feature Is On The Agenda With False Alarms
