Frank O’Connor wants Activision to consider hiring laid-off developers from Bungie, Halo Studios, and elsewhere for Halo’s next game. He argued that former staff still have the talent and ideas to help guide the franchise’s future.
O’Connor spent nearly 20 years working on Halo, first as a writer and later as the franchise’s creative director. In a comment on a LinkedIn discussion over the weekend, he outlined three possible directions and cautioned that none would be easy or guaranteed to work.
Microsoft announced on September 22 that Halo’s next game would move under Activision, with a purpose-built team separate from Call of Duty development. A smaller Halo Studios group would continue supporting the franchise’s existing games, as part of the Halo restructuring.
One option is a classic Halo shooter built around movement and sandbox play. It would serve the core audience while giving the series room to attract more players, and a larger audience could also benefit multiplayer.
Another route would take Halo in a less familiar direction, such as an action-sandbox game, a different kind of shooter, or an action RPG. A strong story and a fresh use of the franchise’s universe could help draw interest.
Activision could also lean on its established progression and business models, with regular major releases and ongoing content. O’Connor advised the new team against tying Halo to hardware or service launch schedules, forcing it into a format that does not suit the series, or abandoning its sandbox roots.
His hiring suggestion comes amid cuts affecting both studios. Xbox’s September 22, 2026 round eliminated 268 positions across several teams, including Halo Studios. Bungie’s cuts have also affected most of Destiny’s team and some Marathon staff, as outlined in recent coverage of Bungie’s restructuring.
Which of O’Connor’s three directions would give Halo the strongest foundation?
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