Halo Studios, formerly known as 343 Industries, has announced its adoption of Epic Games’ Unreal Engine. This move comes as a significant endorsement for Unreal Engine 5, which is known for its impressive graphics and physics capabilities. Microsoft’s continued investment in the Halo franchise is evident, as the game has amassed over 81 million copies sold and generated billions of dollars in revenue.
The decision to transition from Halo’s proprietary game engine to Unreal Engine 5 marks a significant shift for Microsoft. By incorporating external technology, the company acknowledges that Unreal Engine is likely to offer superior quality and more realistic imagery compared to its in-house engine. The move also indicates Microsoft’s commitment to delivering a high-quality gaming experience to its players.
The last installment of the Halo franchise, Halo: Infinite, was released in December 2021. While the game received positive reviews and achieved good sales, there were criticisms about the quality of the game and the lengthy development time. Following its release, Bonnie Ross, the head of the Halo franchise at 343 Industries, resigned from Microsoft in September 2022.
To showcase the future of the Halo franchise and introduce the new Halo Studios, Microsoft released a video featuring the leaders of the studio. The team consists of individuals such as John Junyszek, senior community manager; Melissa Boone, chief of staff; Elizabeth Van Wyck, chief operating officer; and other key members. Chris Matthews, the studio art director, initiated the project, known as Project Foundry, as a research endeavor to explore the potential of Unreal Engine 5. The goal was to push the boundaries and create a graphics showcase reminiscent of the first Halo game.
The team at Halo Studios embarked on creating various biomes, drawing inspiration from the Pacific Northwest’s lush greenery and waterfalls for one biome. Another biome focused on the Cold Lands, a winter wasteland filled with intricate textures. Additionally, they created The Blight Lands, an area that has been taken over by The Flood.
In the video, Lenny Simon, the director of UE licensing for Epic Games, also expressed his support for Microsoft’s transition to Unreal Engine 5. UE5 provides developers with the ability to add intricate details to Halo’s imagery, paving the way for unprecedented visual experiences.
Elizabeth Van Wyck emphasized the importance of understanding Halo’s legacy and the essence of the game that needs to be preserved. In the past, the team was divided between working on the technology and developing the game. Recognizing the need for change, the decision to adopt Unreal Engine 5 was made, enabling the studio to push the boundaries of what is possible in the Halo universe while staying true to the franchise’s core identity.
Max Szlagor, the studio design director, highlighted the studio’s passion for Halo and their collective desire to collaborate and evolve together. With multiple titles currently in development, Halo Studios is actively hiring new talent to bring their vision to life. The studio aims to create diverse worlds and explore new possibilities in their upcoming projects.
In conclusion, Microsoft’s rebranding of 343 Industries as Halo Studios and the adoption of Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 5 demonstrates their commitment to the Halo franchise. This transition signifies a strategic investment in delivering high-quality, visually stunning experiences to players. The introduction of new team members and their focus on pushing the boundaries of graphics and gameplay further emphasize the studio’s dedication to evolving the Halo universe. With exciting developments on the horizon, fans of the franchise can anticipate immersive and innovative gaming experiences from Halo Studios.
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