Halo: Campaign Evolved studio suffers Xbox layoffs, with game seeing mixed sales

Formerly 343 Industries, Halo Studios has experienced its share of instability. Following the Halo: Campaign Evolved release date, layoffs of some developers have begun. While the job losses seem isolated, the news comes after rumors of canceled projects and abusive leadership. Combat Evolved remake sales are also uneven on the Xbox, PS5, and Steam.

Is a mass exodus coming?

On social media, Smash JT reported that several employees are leaving the company. Insider Rebs Gaming hasn’t heard of widespread layoffs, but noted that the individuals held key positions.

Nick Treitman was a Halo Studios Producer for the past 6 and a half years. His LinkedIn post highlights how he collaborated with teams responsible for artwork, networking, and more. In addition, he managed the social multiplayer component of Halo Infinite. Treitman describes how he avoided several rounds of firings until he learned the unfortunate news.

Paul Morris served as a Scrum Master, typically a crucial project management role. The developer revealed that, on the heels of the Halo: Campaign Evolved release date, he will be departing. Software Engineer Caleb Lawrence has also changed his status to open to work.

Halo drama

In 2023, 343 Industries reportedly lost 95 employees in part due to a lackluster reception to Infinite. It underwent further changes before rebranding as Halo Studios in 2024. Given that over 3,000 Xbox layoffs are incoming as CEO Asha Sharma resets Microsoft’s gaming business, no worker may be safe.

Rebs Gaming detailed the troubled development of the Combat Evolved remake. The leaker claims that studio head Pierre Hintze was the subject of HR complaints for abuse. Making matters worse, the multiplayer Project Ekur was axed, and the future of Halo games is uncertain.

Whether more developers exit could depend on the success of Halo: Campaign Evolved. It’s likely too early for Microsoft to make any final judgments. Still, Circana analyst Mat Piscatella calls its initial performance on Xbox consoles relatively strong. However, it may be falling short of benchmarks on the PS5, while Steam player counts trail those of past titles in the franchise.