Call of Duty Developer Sledgehammer Pitched a Halo Multiplayer Prototype Before Xbox Scrapped It
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Reports reveal that Call of Duty developer Sledgehammer Games worked on a Halo multiplayer prototype for Xbox before the project was cancelled after initial testing.
Reports surfaced this week that Sledgehammer Games, the studio known for leading development on multiple Call of Duty entries like Vanguard and Modern Warfare 3, previously worked on a multiplayer prototype for Halo. According to information shared by YouTuber Rebs Gaming and detailed by Eurogamer, Microsoft explored the possibility of having Activision support the iconic sci-fi franchise following their massive multi-billion dollar merger. The project reached an early blockout phase with basic gameplay mechanics in place before leadership ultimately decided to halt development after testing.
While this particular pitch did not move past the experimental stage, the concept highlights how Microsoft is evaluating cross-studio collaboration now that the entire Activision Blizzard catalog sits under one roof. Halo Studios has increasingly leaned on external partnerships for recent projects, and industry analysts expect platform holders to share talent and resources more fluidly as publishers adapt to shifting market pressures and rising development costs.
For players, the idea of a Call of Duty team building a Halo experience might sound unusual on paper, but it reflects a broader industry trend where franchise boundaries are becoming much more flexible. Even though this specific prototype was shelved, the door remains open for future partnerships. As Xbox continues refining its long-term publishing strategy, seeing massive studios cross over to tackle each other's flagship IP could become a normal part of the modern gaming landscape.
Tags: Halo, Call of Duty, Xbox, Industry News, Sledgehammer Games
Original article: Eurogamer