Frank O'Connor, who served as Halo's Franchise Creative Director for nearly two decades, has outlined three potential directions for the franchise under Activision's stewardship. His comments follow Microsoft's decision to shift Halo's development and publishing to the Call of Duty publisher.
O'Connor, who departed 343 Industries in 2023, responded to a discussion on LinkedIn regarding Activision's potential involvement with Halo. He posited that while none of these paths are guaranteed, any of them "COULD be successful."
The first path suggests a return to a "classic" Halo experience, focusing on movement, sandbox design, and shooter mechanics that appeal to the core audience while also aiming to attract a broader player base. The note highlights that a larger player count inherently improves the multiplayer experience.
The second proposed direction involves a significant reinvention of the game and its universe. This could manifest as a surprising, modern take on the franchise, potentially moving beyond the traditional first-person shooter genre into an action RPG or another distinct genre. Success in this path would rely on a strong narrative, effective use of the established IP, and leveraging player curiosity or loyalty.
The third strategy involves adapting the Halo IP and sandbox to fit Activision's established operational models. This approach would focus on player progression and business models proven to be successful within Activision's ecosystem, aiming for a consistent stream of content, potentially on an annual or semi-annual release schedule. O'Connor advises against tying such a release strategy to hardware or service launch cycles, forcing the IP into unsuitable formats or platforms, or abandoning the core sandbox elements. He also strongly recommends hiring former 343 Industries/Halo Studios employees who possess relevant talent and ideas that may have been previously sidelined.
Halo Studios underwent significant changes in 2024, including a rebranding from 343 Industries and a shift to Unreal Engine. The studio released Halo: Campaign Evolved, a remake of the original game without multiplayer, earlier this year. However, reports indicated that the next mainline Halo title was still years away prior to the franchise's reassignment to Activision by Xbox leadership.