343 Industries Halts First Game Project

Jar of Sparks, the NetEase-backed studio founded by former Halo Infinite design head Jerry Hook, has paused development on its debut game project. The studio is actively seeking a new publishing partner to help realize its vision for a "next-generation narrative-driven action game."

Hook's LinkedIn post confirmed the development halt and the studio's search for a new partner capable of supporting their ambitious creative goals. While he expressed pride in the team's progress and innovative approach, he also indicated that team members would be exploring new opportunities. A subsequent post clarified that the studio would be assisting its employees in finding new roles as the first project concludes.

NetEase, a prominent global gaming company, currently supports live-service titles such as Once Human and Marvel Rivals. The latter's recent successful launch and upcoming content updates, including the addition of the Fantastic Four, highlight NetEase's continued commitment to live-service games.

This isn't NetEase's first collaboration with a veteran developer from a major franchise. Former Resident Evil producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi also established GPTRACK50 Studios under NetEase in 2022.

While Jar of Sparks temporarily suspends development, the future of the Halo franchise, Hook's previous employer, remains uncertain. However, 343 Industries' recent rebranding to Halo Studios and the shift to Unreal Engine suggest a potential revitalization for the series.

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