There may be a new major Halo title in development, based on a recent tweet.
As reported by Tech4Gamers, 343 Industries Community Manager Brian Jarrard sent out a message on Twitter about openings at their studio. Jarrard said on March 16, 2024:
“It’s been a difficult and heartbreaking stretch for the game industry. If it can be of any help to anyone, please note there are currently open roles here at 343 Industries working on the future of the Halo Franchise (including a few just added today).”
Jarrard then shared links to job openings for a lead level designer, lead gameplay designer, audio director, studio technical art director, and lead game systems engineer.
As we know, over a year ago Microsoft had layoffs at 343 Industries themselves, and this opens up necessary discussion on why these game companies are doing layoffs and rehiring after.
One theory that’s started going around is that it’s a way for game companies to save on paying their veteran workers. Those workers get higher benefits packages, and commonly do get themselves up the ladder. The idea is that after the company does the layoffs, they can then fill in the opening with a new employee that doesn’t have to be paid that much.
This paints a dismal picture for the industry, but it doesn’t entirely make sense either. The veterans would happen to justify their higher pay and benefits with their experience, not only in making games, but in working in the way that the studio works. Having to train new employees from scratch could mean the company takes risks that would make the quality of their games go down.
This isn’t to say that these things don’t happen, but in general terms, such behavior would only lead to companies faltering. And that doesn’t adequately explain how these companies can survive leaner times like these.
It should also be pointed out that Microsoft is well regarded as an employer because they are a particularly good company to work for. Not just the pay and benefits, but the company culture is generally known to be better than for most tech companies. And they have a wider umbrella to take in more people than the likes of Valve.
So no, we weren’t accusing Microsoft of suspicious firing and hiring behavior based on online noise. But we did want to describe this atmosphere which may make it seem discouraging for developers to join companies like 343 Industries.
343 Industries certainly seems to be a studio that is constantly underestimated. After the turbulent news cycle that revolved around Halo Infinite’s production, the studio has turned that title around. If the media isn’t adequately communicating that success, the community is well aware of it, and happier for it.
So this job environment may seem dismal, as Jarrard himself states, but there’s still opportunities out there, if one is lucky enough to find them. And whoever gets in may have the even bigger opportunity to make themselves famous, as one of the developers that staged Halo‘s comeback.
