Halo Infinite Design Head's Studio Cancels First Game Project

Summary

• Jar of Sparks, founded by former Halo Infinite head Jerry Hook, has paused development on its first game project and is seeking a new publishing partner.
• NetEase, a major video game company, continues to support live-service titles such as Once Human and Marvel Rivals.
• Jerry Hook left 343 Industries and Microsoft in 2022 to establish Jar of Sparks.

Former Halo Infinite head of design Jerry Hook has announced that his studio, Jar of Sparks, under NetEase, has paused development on its inaugural game project. Hook departed from 343 Industries and Microsoft in 2022 to embark on his next venture with Jar of Sparks, which aimed to create the "next generation of narrative-driven action games." The lack of updates from the studio since its inception raised concerns, and it's now confirmed that Jar of Sparks is in search of a new publishing partner.

NetEase, a Chinese technology giant founded by Ding Lei in 1997, is a major player in the global video game industry, offering online PC and mobile games, alongside advertising services and e-commerce. Currently, NetEase is focused on supporting its live-service titles, such as Once Human and the hero shooter Marvel Rivals, set to launch in December 2024. Following a successful debut, Marvel Rivals has unveiled its Season 1 Battle Pass skins, and NetEase is gearing up for the anticipated inclusion of the Fantastic Four in the 6v6 PvP game, scheduled for January 10.

On LinkedIn, Hook shared that the Jar of Sparks team would temporarily halt work on their current project while they seek a new publisher. The team is eager to find a partner who can help realize their creative vision. Since its founding in 2022, Jar of Sparks has taken bold risks and pushed boundaries to innovate within the industry, and Hook expressed pride in the foundational work they've accomplished.

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

While layoffs weren't explicitly mentioned, Hook emphasized that the next phase would involve team members exploring new opportunities. Additionally, he confirmed in a separate post that the studio would assist in finding new positions for its team members as they wind down their first project over the coming weeks. This isn't the first instance of a veteran from a major franchise starting a new studio with NetEase; former Resident Evil producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi founded GPTRACK50 Studios in 2022 under the same publisher.

The Halo series, where Hook previously worked, has faced challenges with Halo Infinite's post-launch support and the underwhelming reception of the Paramount+ live-action series. As Jar of Sparks takes a break from development, the Halo franchise might be poised for a revival following 343 Industries' rebranding to Halo Studios and the shift to developing future titles on Unreal Engine, potentially breathing new life into the series.

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