Halo Studios Cinematic Director Exits in Brutal Layoffs as Activision Takes the Reins
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Xbox restructuring hits Halo Studios with major layoffs, including a recently promoted cinematic director, as Activision steps in to lead development on the next game in the franchise.
The ongoing restructuring at Xbox continues to send shockwaves through the industry, highlighted by recent cuts affecting Halo Studios. Josh Daniels, who served as cinematic director, shared the staggering news on LinkedIn that he was promoted and laid off in the same exact week. Daniels brought over a decade of Xbox experience to his role, including previous work on the Forza Motorsport series, making his departure a major loss for the internal team.
These cuts are part of a broader wave of 268 layoffs announced by Xbox Chief Content Officer Matt Booty across first-party teams and management layers. Alongside the studio downsizing, the franchise is facing a seismic shift in development. According to initial reports from IGN South Africa, Activision is now stepping in to lead the development of the next major Halo entry, leaving the community to process a reality where the minds behind Call of Duty take over Microsoft's flagship sci-fi shooter.
While the community remains deeply divided on whether an Activision takeover will revitalize the series or dilute its identity, the restructuring impacts other heavy hitters as well. Undead Labs confirmed that State of Decay 3 is still pushing forward toward a closed beta later this year and a planned 2027 launch. For players invested in these massive ecosystem shifts, the coming months will test just how much structural change these iconic franchises can endure.
Tags: Halo, Xbox, Activision, Industry News, Game Development
Original article: IGN South Africa