- Primary Subject: Halo Franchise
- Key Update: Xbox has officially transferred development and creative direction for future Halo games to Activision following internal layoffs and restructuring at Halo Studios.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: September 22, 2026
- Quick Answer: Xbox transferred Halo to Activision due to corporate restructuring, with Activision leading new titles while a scaled-down Halo Studios handles support and live updates.
Master Chief has officially found a brand-new home under Activision.
On September 22, the internet was left in shock after Xbox announced Halo would be transferred to Activision. This comes after a massive corporate reset, with Xbox laying off over a hundred employees. Halo Studios was massively impacted, causing a major shift in the sci-fi series future.
Here's everything you need to know about why Microsoft made the movie and what this means for Halo's future.
Why Did Halo Move to Activision?
Halo moved to Activision as part of a major Xbox internal restructuring. Xbox laid off 268 positions across its studios. A large chunk of that impacted Halo Studios, which led Microsoft to transfer development responsibilities for the Halo franchise to Activision.
According to an internal memo by Xbox Chief Content Officer Matt Booty, the reorganization was done to consolidate Xbox's internal studio operations, reduce redundant business units, and leverage Activision’s AAA development infrastructure and resources to revitalize the franchise following years of production hiccups at Halo Studios.
What Does It Mean for Halo to Move to Activision?
Under Activision, Halo will receive a specialized, standalone team specifically meant to handle Halo titles. This means the Halo team will operate independently from the existing Call of Duty studios and development plans.
Activision will have primary development, production oversight, and creative direction for all future mainline Halo games. According to the official statement from Activision President Rob Kostich, Activision plans to "make the greatest Halo game ever, worthy of its universe and legacy, while staying true to what made players love it in the first place."
When Is the Next Halo Game?
There is no official release date or window for the first Halo title under Activision.
As the dedicated Halo team inside Activision is still being assembled, a new Halo release will likely take several years to develop. Additionally, Halo: Campaign Evolved just released in July of this year, which means there's plenty of time for players to wait for the next title.
Will Halo Studios Close?
No, Halo Studios is not closing.
Despite the significant number of layoffs, Halo Studios will still be functional. However, instead of developing games, Halo Studios has been scaled down into a support studio.
Will Halo: Campaign Evolved and Halo Infinite Still Receive Support?
Yes, it's likely both Halo: Campaign Evolved and Halo Infinite will still be receiving support.
However, Activision won't be providing support and updates for these titles. Halo Studios will now serve as a support studio for these titles, which means the staff that remains will still be hands-on with Halo: Campaign Evolved and Halo Infinite.
Beyond these games, Halo Studios will also oversee Halo esports and overall community management.
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