Halo Infinite developer 343 Industries has reassured fans that the franchise is “here to stay” despite the recent layoffs at Microsoft. In a statement released on Twitter, 343 Industries studio head Pierre Hintze said, “Halo and Master Chief are here to stay. 343 Industries will continue to develop Halo now and in the future, including epic stories, multiplayer, and more of what makes Halo great.”
The statement comes after Microsoft announced that it would lay off 10,000 employees before the end of March as part of a company-wide restructuring effort. According to reports, 343 Industries was significantly impacted by the layoffs, with several high-profile departures including that of creative director Joe Staten and Slipspace Engine lead developer David Berger.
Halo Infinite was released in 2021 to positive reviews, but the game has struggled to maintain a consistent player base. On Steam, for instance, the game is currently averaging about 4,000 players per day, a significant drop from the 100,000 players it was averaging at launch. Furthermore, Microsoft has yet to announce new campaign content for the game more than a year after its release, which has raised concerns among fans about the franchise’s future.
