The name change and technological transition promise to revolutionize the iconic Halo saga with a deeper investment in gameplay mechanics
In an unexpected twist that resonated throughout the gaming community, 343 Industries, the developers behind the iconic Halo series, have decided to completely revamp themselves, adopting the name Halo Studios and announcing a migration to Unreal Engine 5. This change is not just nominal; It’s a statement of intent towards a new era of innovation in the franchise.
The rebirth of a giant
After 17 years at the helm of Halo, today’s Halo Studios seeks to not only carry on its legacy, but revolutionize it. “Halo can be divided into two very different chapters: the first with Bungie and the second with 343 Industries. Today, our audience wants more, and that means changing not only how we improve development efficiency, but also the recipe for how we make Halo games,” explained studio head Pierre Hintze. This new phase promises to redefine what fans expect from the saga, focusing efforts on improving every core of the game.
The decision to abandon its Slipspace engine, which supported the launch of Halo Infinite in 2021, was no small one. The challenges of maintaining a proprietary engine, especially one with components dating back nearly 25 years, led the studio to opt for Unreal Engine 5 for its future projects. “The way we made Halo games before doesn’t work as well for the way we want to make them in the future,” Hintze said. This change will allow the team to focus more on game creation rather than tool and engine development.
A demonstration of possibilities
The team presented a technical demo under the name Project Foundry, highlighting the integrated capabilities of Unreal Engine 5. Chris Mathews, artistic director of the studio, highlighted the obsolescence of some Slipspace components and the fresh breath that UE5 brings to development. Project Foundry’s renders are a testament to the new engine’s capabilities, showcasing an unprecedented level of detail in the Halo universe, from verdant landscapes reminiscent of the Pacific Northwest to snow-capped tundras and Flood-ravaged landscapes.
While specific details on Halo Studios’ new projects are still a mystery, the use of the Unreal Engine in most of them suggests a significant improvement in visual fidelity, particularly evident in Master Chief’s Mjolnir armor. “Before, we were too focused on creating the conditions for Halo Infinite to be successful; Moving to Unreal allows us to focus on creating multiple new experiences of the highest quality possible,” concluded Hintze.
From pixel to hyperrealism
Chief Masterthe iconic protagonist of the Halo series, has witnessed multiple transformations over the years, each of which marked a technological milestone for its time. Since his first appearance in Advanced combat until its latest iteration Infinite halothe graphic evolution of this character was remarkable. With the transfer to Unreal Engine 5An even more realistic and detailed version of Master Chief is planned, something that will undoubtedly elevate the gaming experience to a new level of immersion.
This new rendering not only promises to improve texture and lighting of the character, but also the interaction with the environments which will be richer and more varied. The ability to EU5 managing complex lighting and texture effects could deliver more vibrant and dynamic battles, where every detail counts. AS, Halo Studios not only seeks to continue the saga, but to enrich how we experience each encounter in the universe of Chief Masterkeeping fans intrigued and engaged.
The video released by the studio not only served to reaffirm continued support for Halo Infinite with new operations, but also fueled anticipation for what’s to come. This new stage for Halo promises to be as innovative as it is nostalgic, inviting both veterans and new players to immerse themselves in future adventures that are sure to reshape the landscape of science fiction video games.