Halo veteran developer Joseph Staten leaves Microsoft

Halo Infinite campaign co-op beta — (Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)

Long-time Halo developer and Microsoft executive, Joseph Staten, has confirmed he's leaving Microsoft.

Staten had been at Halo studio 343 Industries until January 2023, after which it was revealed he'd left the developer to join Microsoft as a creative director. Just three months later, it now seems as though Staten is leaving Microsoft completely.

"Hey folks, I am indeed leaving Microsoft," Staten – who worked at Microsoft for two separate nine-year periods – confirmed via tweet over the weekend.

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"I'll have more info to share soon, but for now, I'd just like to thank all my Xbox colleagues for all their understanding and support as I embark on a new adventure."

Hey folks, I am indeed leaving Microsoft. I'll have more info to share soon, but for now, I'd just like to thank all my @Xbox colleagues for all their understanding and support as I embark on a new adventure. https://t.co/oMR0LXOzZbApril 8, 2023

"We’re grateful for Joseph’s contributions to the Halo franchise and Xbox as a whole,”"a Microsoft spokesperson told IGN. "We wish him all the best in his new adventure."

While Halo Infinite was critically successful at launch, its sporadic and delayed content updates have left fans frustrated. Since then, there have been several high profile exits, including 343 Industries founder Bonnie Ross, who left the studio after 15 years.

The studio was then hit hard by Microsoft's latest round of layoffs, prompting rumors that 343 Industries will apparently soon be ceasing active game development and franchising the Halo license to other studios after Halo Infinite allegedly failed to meet its financial expectations. The single-player DLC planned for Halo Infinite was also reportedly scrapped around the same time.

It prompted 343 Industries' studio head, Pierre Hintz, to issue a statement confirming the studio's commitment to the Halo franchise and stating that "343 Industries will continue to develop Halo now and in the future".

"Halo and Master Chief are here to stay," Hintz said in the brief statement. "343 Industries will continue to develop Halo now and in the future, including epic stories, multiplayer, and more of what makes Halo great."

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Vikki Blake is GamesRadar+'s Weekend Reporter. Vikki works tirelessly to ensure that you have something to read on the days of the week beginning with 'S', and can also be found contributing to outlets including the BBC, Eurogamer, and GameIndustry.biz. Vikki also runs a weekly games column at NME, and can be frequently found talking about Destiny 2 and Silent Hill on Twitter.