Halo Infinite Head\'\'s Studio Cancels Debut Game

Jar of Sparks, NetEase-Backed Studio, Pauses Development on First Game

Jerry Hook, former design lead for Halo Infinite, announced that his studio, Jar of Sparks, has temporarily halted development on its debut project. Jar of Sparks, operating under the NetEase umbrella, was aiming to create a "next-generation narrative-driven action game." However, the studio is now actively seeking a new publishing partner to realize its creative vision.

This news follows a period of relative silence from Jar of Sparks since its 2022 founding. Hook's LinkedIn post confirmed the development pause, emphasizing the team's commitment to finding a partner capable of supporting their ambitious goals. He expressed pride in the progress made thus far, highlighting the team's willingness to take risks and innovate.

NetEase, a prominent global video game publisher, currently supports live-service titles such as Once Human and the recently launched Marvel Rivals. While NetEase's involvement with Jar of Sparks has ended for this project, the company remains a major player in the industry.

Hook's post also indicated that team members will be exploring new opportunities, suggesting potential layoffs. He confirmed the studio's efforts to assist team members in finding new roles within the industry over the coming weeks. This situation mirrors the experience of other studios formed under NetEase, such as GPTRACK50 Studios founded by former Resident Evil producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi.

The future of Jar of Sparks remains uncertain, but the pause in development presents an opportunity for the studio to secure a more suitable publishing partner and potentially refine its project. Meanwhile, the Halo franchise, Hook's former domain, is undergoing its own transformation with 343 Industries rebranding to Halo Studios and a shift to Unreal Engine for future titles.