343 Industries, the current studio behind the Halo franchise, is set to lose another lead developer. According to reports, engineering director David Berger will exit the company after 14 years of working on the Halo series. This follows 343 studio head Bonnie Ross also recently leaving the company after 15 years.
According to a report from Lords of Gaming that was later corroborated by Windows Central, Berger is set to part ways with 343 Industries after serving as an engineering director at the studio for the last 14 years as well as a Microsoft employee for over 20 years. Berger worked on Halo 4, Halo 5: Guardians and the most recent entry, Halo Infinite, where he led the development for the Slipstream Engine used to create the latest title.
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Microsoft recently announced that it would be restructuring the leadership team at 343 Industries. Pierre Hintze will replace Ross as the studio head, while Bryan Koski was promoted to GM of the Halo franchise. Elizabeth Van Wyck will now oversee business, operations and esports for the series going forward.
Halo Infinite was met with a number of controversies lately. 343 Industries revealed the delayed roadmap for season 3 content, the Forge beta and a surprising cancellation of the promised local co-op – something that’s entirely possible in-game as fans quickly discovered a glitch in the game’s menu that allowed local split-screen co-op for up to four players. It all works seamlessly too.
Given the rocky state of 343 Industries right now, it’s surprising that Microsoft hasn’t shifted the Halo franchise, arguably its biggest IP, to another more capable studio. Following Bungie’s last developed game in the series, Halo: Reach, Microsoft started up 343 Industries as the sole studio responsible for the future of Halo. While it developed the acclaimed Halo 4, 343’s recent efforts, including Halo 5: Guardians and Halo Infinite, have been met with mixed feelings.
Halo Infinite is currently available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
Source: Windows Central (via Lords of Gaming)