A new multiplayer project for the Halo franchise, codenamed 'Ekur,' has reportedly been canceled. This news was initially reported by Halo YouTuber Rebs Gaming and corroborated by Windows Central's Jez Corden, who stated the information was accurate. The project was being developed by Certain Affinity, a studio known for its support work on previous Halo and Call of Duty titles.
Ekur originated from a different project called 'Tatanka,' which was envisioned as a battle royale-style Halo game. This concept was later abandoned in favor of Ekur, described as a "super big team battle idea" drawing inspiration from Halo's established large-scale multiplayer modes, including Halo 5's Warzone. The development team also explored an extraction mode for Ekur, and the project intended to utilize the map created for Tatanka. Development was taking place in Unreal Engine, similar to the upcoming Halo: Combat Evolved remake.
The exact objectives for Ekur remain unclear, including whether it aimed for broader multiplayer appeal following Halo Infinite's struggle to maintain a consistent player base or if it was planned as a premium release. Reports suggest the project's cancellation stemmed from development difficulties with another title, 'Campaign Evolved,' which diverted staff resources. The current status of Ekur is uncertain, with the possibility of its revival mentioned, particularly as Microsoft seeks to invigorate its major franchises. The cancellation does not appear to be a direct result of recent Xbox organizational changes.
While Halo Infinite's servers remain operational, its player count has reportedly dwindled. With a new Xbox console generation on the horizon, the absence of a competitive multiplayer Halo title for an extended period is noteworthy. Campaign Evolved is understood to be a single-player experience with co-op options, leaving a gap for players seeking a dedicated PVP multiplayer offering within the Halo universe.