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

Jar of Sparks, NetEase-Backed Studio, Pauses Development on First Game

Jerry Hook, former design lead for Halo Infinite, announced that his studio, Jar of Sparks, has temporarily halted development on its debut project. The studio, established in 2022 under NetEase's umbrella, had been developing a "next-generation narrative-driven action game." The decision to pause development stems from the studio's active search for a new publishing partner to better realize its creative vision.

NetEase, a prominent global video game company, currently supports live-service titles such as Once Human and the recently launched Marvel Rivals. The latter's success, including the recent announcement of its Season 1 Battle Pass, underscores NetEase's commitment to live-service games. The company is also gearing up for the addition of the Fantastic Four to Marvel Rivals in January 2025.

Hook's LinkedIn post confirmed the development pause and the studio's search for a partner capable of supporting their ambitious goals. He expressed pride in the team's innovative work and bold creative risks. While layoffs weren't explicitly mentioned, a subsequent post indicated the studio is assisting team members in finding new opportunities in the coming weeks.

This isn't NetEase's first collaboration with a veteran developer. In 2022, former Resident Evil producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi also founded GPTRACK50 Studios under NetEase's publishing arm.

The news comes amidst a period of transition for the Halo franchise, Hook's previous employer. Following challenges with Halo Infinite's post-launch content and the reception of the Paramount+ series, 343 Industries has rebranded as Halo Studios and is transitioning to Unreal Engine for future titles. This restructuring may signal a renewed focus and potential resurgence for the franchise.

While Jar of Sparks' future remains uncertain, the studio's commitment to innovation and the search for the right publishing partner suggests a potential for future success.