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

Microsoft has confirmed the development of multiple new Halo games, coinciding with the rebranding of 343 Industries to "Halo Studios."

Xbox Game Studios' 343 Industries Rebrands as Halo Studios

Halo Studios Embarks on a New Era of Halo Game Development

"Halo's history comprises two distinct chapters: Bungie and 343 Industries," stated Studio Head Pierre Hintze. "Now, with player demand high, we're not only streamlining development but fundamentally reimagining how we create Halo games. This marks the beginning of a new chapter."

The studio will leverage Epic Games' Unreal Engine 5 (UE5) for future Halo installments. UE5's reputation for high-fidelity graphics and realistic physics is well-established. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney tweeted, "Epic is honored that Halo Studios has chosen our tools for their future endeavors!"

Halo's leadership team elaborated on the franchise's strategic shift. Hintze explained, "We previously overemphasized creating conditions for Halo Infinite's success," adding that the transition to UE5 allows for higher-quality games. "Our singular focus is creating the best possible Halo games," he emphasized.

COO Elizabeth Van Wyck highlighted player feedback as central to their strategy: "Success hinges on building games players want. This new structure empowers game developers to make key decisions." The studio is actively seeking broader player input to guide the franchise's future.

Studio Art Director Chris Matthew explained the technical advantages of UE5: "Parts of Slipspace are nearly 25 years old. While 343 continually developed it, Unreal offers features unavailable in Slipspace, features that would require immense time and resources to replicate."

UE5 also streamlines updates and content delivery. Van Wyck noted, "It's not just about faster development, but also quicker updates and adapting to player preferences." Halo Studios has begun recruiting for these new projects.