343 Industries Rebrands to Halo Studios and Moves to Unreal Engine 5

A scene from Project Foundry where Master Chief faces off on a rocky terrain with trees in the background against a Covenant Elite.

The future of Halo is undergoing major changes. Formerly known as 343 Industries, the developer is now rebranding itself as Halo Studios and shifting all future development to Unreal Engine 5, leaving behind the proprietary Slipspace Engine used for Halo Infinite. This change marks a fresh start for Xbox’s flagship series as the studio looks ahead to multiple new projects.

Project Foundry: A New Dawn for Halo in Unreal Engine 5

The announcement, made during the Halo World Championship, gives us a glimpse into what’s next for the franchise. One of the biggest reveals was Project Foundry, an internal project aimed at showcasing the potential of Halo in Unreal Engine 5. While not a game itself, Project Foundry is a development and training tool, laying the groundwork for future games built with Epic Games’ popular engine.

This is a major change for the series. Especially given the problems the studio faced with the Slipspace Engine during the development of Halo Infinite. Parts of the Slipspace Engine are nearly 25 years old, and the difficulties in working with it are widely known. By moving to Unreal Engine 5, Halo Studios can streamline development and focus on delivering multiple new Halo experiences without the technical problems.

“We’re really excited about the opportunities that come with Unreal Engine 5. It allows us to focus on building games rather than maintaining the tools and engines needed to make them. This shift is about more than just efficiency; it’s about rethinking how we create Halo games.”

The Future of Halo Under New Leadership

While no specific release dates or games have been announced, the rebranding of 343 Industries into Halo Studios is a new chapter for the franchise. Pierre Hintze, studio head, says the team is working on multiple new projects, though it remains focused on supporting Halo Infinite for now.

With new leadership in place and the Unreal Engine 5 at its disposal, Halo Studios is setting the stage for a bright future. We can expect updates as the studio continues its work on bringing the next generation of Halo to life.

What are your thoughts on the rebranding of 343 Industries to Halo Studios and the shift to Unreal Engine 5? How do you think this will impact future Halo games? Leave a comment below and let us know!

  • Master Chief holding an energy sword stands in a forested area with a rocky backdrop in a scene from Project Foundry.
  • A scene from Project Foundry where Master Chief faces off on a rocky terrain with trees in the background against a Covenant Elite.
  • A picture from Project Foundry of a futuristic handgun held by a gloved hand, with "117" visible in the background.
  • A scene from Project Foundry of futuristic monoliths glow in a snowy alien landscape under a large, glowing moon in a pink sky.
  • A scene from Project Foundry of an alien landscape with organic matter and a tall, metallic structure under a cloudy sky.

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4ScarrsGaming

Jon is a proud Canadian who has a lifelong passion for gaming. He is a veteran of the video game and tech industry with more than 20 years experience. Jon is a strong believer and supporter in cloud gaming, he's that guy with the Stadia tattoo! He enjoys playing and talking about games on all platforms and mediums. Join the conversation with Jon on Threads @4ScarrsGaming and @4ScarrsGaming on Instagram.

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