Could an Activision studio develop a Halo game? Xbox Games Studio boss Matt Booty says it’s up to the studios.

Speculation has been running wild since Microsoft announced its plans to acquire Activision Blizzard. Fans have been wondering if a Halo game could be developed by a Call of Duty studio. When asked about the possibility, Xbox Games Studio boss Matt Booty stated that it would only happen if one of its studios expressed a desire for it. Booty made it clear that Microsoft would not dictate the project from the top. “If something like that were to happen, it would have to come from the studios,” he said.

Legal Hurdles

While the idea of a Halo game developed by an Activision studio sounds intriguing, there are several hurdles in the way. Microsoft’s acquisition deal of $68.7 billion is facing legal challenges in both the US and the UK. In the US, a federal court has temporarily halted the acquisition, and the Federal Trade Commission is working to prevent Microsoft from finalizing the deal before the July 18 deadline. However, Microsoft sees the injunction as an opportunity to expedite the legal process as it prepares its case for federal court. In the UK, the merger has been blocked by the CMA, but both Microsoft and Activision are appealing the decision.

The Future of Halo

Since Bungie left the franchise, 343 Industries has been in charge of mainline Halo games. However, Halo Infinite, the latest entry in the series, has faced challenges, including senior staff departures and recent layoffs at Microsoft. Despite these setbacks, Microsoft has confirmed that 343 Industries remains “critically important” to the future of Halo. Earlier reports suggesting that the studio would be removed from the mainline series and instead oversee the development of new Halo games have been debunked.

Halo Infinite fans can look forward to new content with the Season 4 update arriving on June 20. While the franchise had no presence at the June Xbox Showcase, it made an appearance at Ubisoft Forward for a Brawlhalla crossover event. Microsoft is fully invested in the future of Halo and is committed to delivering exciting experiences for fans.