Halo, the military sci-fi video game series and media franchise that Bungie launched in 2001 with Halo: Combat Evolved—a title that remains fondly remembered for putting Xbox on the map and making Microsoft a serious contender in the console wars—would still be good if it weren’t for the company’s contracting polices and habit of treating its developers like temp workers, according to new comments shared by Briggs Crane, a former developer with 343 Industries. Crane, who currently works as a tester for Fortnite at Epic Games, suggests that the Halo franchise, as well as other exclusive Microsoft properties, are seeing a “downturn in quality” due to “brain drain” and low morale.
Crane writes:
- “Ex 343 Dev here. Now I work at Epic Games. Microsoft’s contracting policies are single handedly one of the biggest issues that Halo faces.”
- “Can you imagine how difficult it is to do your best work knowing that they’ll get rid of you in 18 months and there’s nothing you can do about it?”
- “Plus that forces people out the door just as they become fully trained and competent at their positions. All of this just so they can have the luxury of being able to easily lay off employees when it suits Microsoft execs.”
- “A SIGNIFICANT portion of 343’s workforce is comprised of contract workers (including the entirety of the old MCC team). The self inflicted brain drain is maddening to watch, and it’s (in my opinion) why most Microsoft exclusive titles are seeing a downturn in quality.”
- “They’ve created a business environment in which the talent they should be trying to cultivate is being pushed out the door and is then nabbed by other studios.”
A video that purports to show what Halo Infinite’s campaign might have looked like:
A description for Halo Infinite’s campaign mode:
When all hope is lost and humanity’s fate hangs in the balance, the Master Chief is ready to confront the most ruthless foe he’s ever faced. Step inside the armor of humanity’s greatest hero to experience an epic open-world adventure and explore the massive scale of the Halo ring.
With Network Campaign Co-Op and Mission Replay, you can relive your favorite moments, rediscover collectibles and explore the wonders of Zeta Halo on your own or with up to three other fireteam members.