Halo Infinite Design Head\'s Studio Halts Its First Game Project

Jar of Sparks, the NetEase-backed studio founded by former Halo Infinite design head Jerry Hook, has paused development on its debut game project. The studio is actively seeking a new publishing partner to help realize its creative vision.

Hook, who left 343 Industries and Microsoft in 2022 to establish Jar of Sparks, described the initial project as a "next-generation narrative-driven action game." While details remain scarce, the decision to halt development and seek a new publisher suggests challenges in bringing the project to fruition under NetEase.

NetEase, a prominent global video game company, currently supports live-service titles such as Once Human and Marvel Rivals. The latter, released in December 2024, recently launched its Season 1 Battle Pass and is preparing for the addition of the Fantastic Four in January 2025.

Hook's LinkedIn post confirmed the development pause and the search for a new publishing partner. He expressed pride in the team's innovative work but also indicated that team members would be exploring new opportunities. A subsequent post clarified that the studio would assist its team in finding new roles as the first project concludes.

This situation mirrors the experience of other veteran developers who have partnered with NetEase, such as Hiroyuki Kobayashi, former Resident Evil producer, who formed GPTRACK50 Studios in 2022.

The news comes amidst ongoing changes within the Halo franchise, including 343 Industries' rebranding to Halo Studios and a shift to Unreal Engine for future titles. While Jar of Sparks' project is temporarily on hold, the future of the Halo franchise appears to be undergoing a revitalization.

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