Halo Infinite Design Head's Studio Cancels First Game Project

Summary

• Development on Jar of Sparks' first game project has been paused, and the studio is actively seeking a new publishing partner.
• NetEase, a major video game company, is currently supporting live-service titles like Once Human and Marvel Rivals.
• Former Halo Infinite head Jerry Hook left 343 Industries and Microsoft in 2022 to form Jar of Sparks.

Former Halo Infinite head of design Jerry Hook has announced that his studio, Jar of Sparks, under NetEase, has paused development on its debut game project. Hook, who departed from 343 Industries and Microsoft in 2022, aimed to create the "next generation of narrative-driven action games" with Jar of Sparks. The studio's silence since its inception has been a concern, and it's now confirmed that they are in search of a new publishing partner.

NetEase, a leading Chinese technology company founded by Ding Lei in 1997, is renowned for its online PC and mobile games, advertising services, and e-commerce in China. As one of the world's largest video game companies, NetEase is currently focused on supporting its live-service titles, such as Once Human and the hero shooter Marvel Rivals, which is set for release in December 2024. Following a successful launch, Marvel Rivals recently unveiled its Season 1 Battle Pass skins and is gearing up for the exciting addition of the Fantastic Four to the 6v6 PvP title on January 10.

In a LinkedIn post, Hook disclosed that the Jar of Sparks team would be taking a break from their current project to find a new publisher. The team is eager to find a partner who can "help bring our creative vision to life." Since its establishment in 2022, Jar of Sparks has been taking "bold risks and pushing boundaries" to develop something innovative and thrilling for the gaming industry, according to Hook. He expressed pride in the foundational work the team has accomplished.

NetEase's Jar of Sparks Studio Halts Development on First Game Project

Although layoffs weren't explicitly mentioned in Hook's post, he emphasized that the next steps would involve team members "exploring new opportunities." In a subsequent post, Hook confirmed that the studio would assist in finding new positions for all team members as they conclude their first project over the coming weeks. This move echoes a similar path taken by former Resident Evil producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi, who founded GPTRACK50 Studios in 2022 under NetEase.

The Halo series, where Hook once led, has faced challenges in recent years, particularly with Halo Infinite's post-launch support and the underwhelming reception of the Paramount+ live-action series. While Jar of Sparks takes a temporary break from development, the Halo franchise might be poised for a revival following 343 Industries' rebranding to Halo Studios and the shift to developing future titles on Unreal Engine, which could rejuvenate the beloved franchise.

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