Halo's Art Director leaves studio after 17 years; teases "untold story" behind his departure

Longtime art director for the Halo franchise, Glenn Israel, has departed Halo Studios after contributing to the series for 17 years, putting an end to his time shaping Xbox’s most iconic universe.

Israel joined Bungie in 2008 during its tenure as the steward of Halo. He worked as an artist on Halo 3: ODST, following the franchise to 343 Industries in 2010, which was later rebranded to Halo Studios in 2024. 

Israel also worked on key titles, including Halo 4, Halo 5: Guardians, and Halo Infinite. Glenn Israel announced his departure on October 10 in a LinkedIn post, amid a wave of changes at the studio. 

Amid ongoing restructuring efforts within the company, reports suggest that nearly five employees were let go from Halo Studios as part of the wider cuts affecting the Xbox division in July.

In his exiting statement, Israel reflected on his lengthy tenure at Halo Studios, suggesting some unresolved tensions amid his departure from the studio. He wrote:

After seventeen long years, I am officially no longer contributing to the Halo universe. There is little more I can say for the moment, though I intend to share this particular story in its entirety when it's absolutely safe to do so next year.

In the meantime, I have a message for anyone and everyone who needs to hear it. I know that the state of our industry seems dire, but never forget that you are free to choose. No illusion of security nor promise of wealth or fame or power is worth trading away your health, your dignity, your ethics or values – and no one can force you to.

Stay strong, take evidence when necessary, and find where you belong. As always, I’ll be here if you need to talk.

Israel’s posts suggest some internal conflict at Halo studios, with prominent Halo leaker Rebs Gaming’s sources confirming ongoing leadership issues at the studio.

Israel isn’t the first high-profile member to leave Halo Studios, however; Melissa Boone, former Chief of Staff, also quietly left Halo Studios, leaving only one of the original nine art team members on Infinite, Donnie Taylor, still in place.

Despite the ongoing turbulence at the company, Halo Studios is currently working on multiple unannounced projects built in Unreal Engine 5. The studio is promising a deep dive into its future projects at the upcoming Halo World Championship event scheduled from October 24 through 25, 2025, in Seattle, where rumors suggest that a Halo: Combat Evolved remake will be announced.

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