Former key figures in the Halo franchise, Bonnie Ross and Kiki Wolfkill, have publicly shared their dismay following Microsoft's substantial layoffs at Halo Studios. The recent cuts have drastically reduced the studio to a small support team, with the development of future Halo titles now transitioning to Activision.
One former employee, cinematic director Josh Daniels, described his experience of being promoted and then laid off within the same week. His departure was part of broader Xbox cuts that impacted 268 individuals across Halo Studios, other first-party studios, and Xbox Game Studios management. Unconfirmed reports suggest that hundreds of employees were affected.
Bonnie Ross, who founded 343 Industries and formerly led Halo Studios, expressed her difficulty in processing the news. She noted the significant impact on hundreds of talented individuals, including creatives, designers, engineers, and community leaders. Ross highlighted the deep passion and dedication of the affected staff, emphasizing their capability and community focus.
Kiki Wolfkill, another influential former leader at 343 Studios, stated she was "gutted" by the news and offered support to those impacted. She extended an offer to help with introductions, advice, or simply to listen, stressing that her "door is open."
The decision to move Halo development to Activision signifies a major structural shift for the franchise. A new, dedicated team is reportedly being established within Activision to handle the next Halo game, separate from the Call of Duty development.
343 Industries was originally formed in 2007 after series creator Bungie regained its independence. Since 2010's Halo: Reach, the studio has been responsible for the development or oversight of all Halo titles. The studio was rebranded as Halo Studios two years ago.
These layoffs at Halo Studios are part of a wider restructuring within Xbox, which has also reportedly led to the closure of British studio Ninja Theory and significant organizational changes across other developers like Obsidian, Playground Games, and Turn 10 Studios. Undead Labs and World's Edge have also reportedly experienced major layoffs.