Halo Infinite Design Head\'s Studio Halts Its First Game Project

Jar of Sparks, NetEase's Studio, Pauses First Game Project, Seeks New Publisher

Jerry Hook, former Halo Infinite design lead, announced that his studio, Jar of Sparks, a NetEase subsidiary, has temporarily suspended development on its debut project. Hook, who left 343 Industries and Microsoft in 2022 to establish Jar of Sparks, described the initial project as a "next-generation narrative-driven action game." The studio's recent silence proved ominous, culminating in the confirmation of their search for a new publishing partner.

NetEase, a global gaming giant, currently supports live-service titles such as Once Human and Marvel Rivals. The latter, released in December 2024, recently unveiled its Season 1 Battle Pass and anticipates the arrival of the Fantastic Four on January 10th.

Hook's LinkedIn post revealed that Jar of Sparks is pausing development to find a publisher better equipped to realize their creative vision. He expressed pride in the team's innovative work and bold risks taken since the studio's inception in 2022.

While layoffs weren't explicitly stated, Hook indicated that team members will be exploring new opportunities and the studio will assist in finding them new roles in the coming weeks. This situation mirrors the experience of Hiroyuki Kobayashi, a former Resident Evil producer, who also launched a studio (GPTRACK50) under NetEase in 2022.

The Halo franchise, Hook's former employer, has faced challenges recently, including criticism of Halo Infinite's post-launch content and the Paramount+ series. However, 343 Industries' rebranding to Halo Studios and the shift to Unreal Engine may signal a positive turning point for the franchise.

Meanwhile, Jar of Sparks' temporary pause presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the studio and its team. The search for a new publisher will determine the future of their ambitious project.

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