Halo Infinite Design Head's Studio Cancels First Game Project

Summary

• Development on Jar of Sparks' first game project has been halted, 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 back in 2022 and formed Jar of Sparks in the same year.

Former Halo Infinite head of design Jerry Hook has announced that his studio, Jar of Sparks, under NetEase, has paused development on its first game project. Hook, who left 343 Industries and Microsoft in 2022, aimed to create the "next generation of narrative-driven action games" with Jar of Sparks. Despite the initial excitement, the studio has been relatively quiet since its inception, and it's now confirmed that they are seeking a new publishing partner to bring their creative vision to life.

NetEase, a Chinese technology company founded by Ding Lei in 1997, is a powerhouse in the global video game industry, focusing on online PC and mobile games, advertising services, and e-commerce. Currently, NetEase is heavily invested in supporting its live-service titles, including Once Human and the hero shooter Marvel Rivals, set to release in December 2024. Marvel Rivals has already seen a successful launch and is gearing up for its Season 1 Battle Pass skins, with the much-anticipated addition of the Fantastic Four to the 6v6 PvP title on January 10.

In a LinkedIn post, Hook shared that the Jar of Sparks team would be pausing work on their current project while they search for a new publisher. He emphasized the team's commitment to taking "bold risks and pushing boundaries" to create something innovative and exciting for the gaming industry. Hook expressed pride in the groundwork laid by the team since the studio's launch in 2022.

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

While Hook did not mention layoffs explicitly, he noted that the next step would involve team members "exploring new opportunities." In a separate post, he confirmed that the studio would be working to "find all of our team new homes as we close our first project" over the coming weeks. This situation echoes the experience of former Resident Evil producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi, who also launched a new studio, GPTRACK50, under NetEase in 2022.

The Halo series, where Hook previously worked, has faced its own challenges with Halo Infinite's post-launch support and the underwhelming reception of the Paramount+ live-action series. As Jar of Sparks takes a temporary break from project development, the Halo franchise might be poised for a comeback. With 343 Industries rebranding to Halo Studios and shifting to Unreal Engine for future titles, the franchise could be on the verge of a significant revival.

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