Unlocked Halo Studios Is No Longer Making Halo – Unlocked 755
Sep 24, 2026
Xbox’s sweeping reset sparks major changes across its first-party studios, including Activision taking over Halo. The discussion explores a possible reboot, Call of Duty technology, and which Activision teams could lead development. Plus, Ninja Theory’s uncertain future, Undead Labs going independent, reshuffling at Rare and Obsidian, and Bungie’s plans to revive Destiny 2.
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Xbox Restructures Around Fewer Studio Groups
- Xbox’s reset is consolidating studios into fewer business units while cutting 268 roles across Halo, first-party studios, and central functions.
- The changes also include Bethesda absorbing Obsidian, Playground merging with Turn 10, and King taking over Microsoft Casual Games.
Halo Studios Lost The Franchise Before Shipping Again
- Halo Studios losing its franchise before shipping another original game signals a major loss of confidence in its leadership.
- Michael Higham argues the talent produced strong individual campaigns and multiplayer, but leadership repeatedly failed to combine those strengths.
Activision Offers Halo A Faster Production Pipeline
- Activision may use an existing team and production pipeline rather than create a new studio, allowing Xbox to pursue a faster Halo turnaround.
- Ryan McCaffrey links the decision to Call of Duty’s unusually reliable annual release management.