Former Halo leaders Bonnie Ross and Kiki Wolfkill have added their voices to the chorus of people wishing laid-off Halo Studios employees well after Microsoft's drastic downsizing of the studio yesterday.
The Xbox cuts were so sudden one former Halo Studios employee, cinematic director Josh Daniels, said he was promoted and then laid off in the same week. "Promoted and laid off in the same week is pretty wild," wrote Daniels on LinkedIn. "I'm one of the many hit by the Halo Studios layoffs."
Daniels' departure was a result of yesterday's Xbox cuts, which saw 268 people lose their jobs across a combination of Halo Studios, other unnamed first-party studios, and Xbox Game Studios management layers.
Halo Studios is reduced to a "small" support team as a result, with major Halo development moving to Activision, where a "purpose-built" team - separate from Call of Duty - has been created to develop "the next Halo title".
Bonnie Ross, the former head of Halo and founder of 343 Industries (which became Halo Studios), responded to yesterday's news on LinkedIn: "It was difficult to wake up to the news that the Halo Studio is essentially being shut down today, with only a small number of roles remaining," she wrote.
"Hundreds of incredibly talented team members are being impacted with creatives, designers, engineers, producers, artists, narrative and audio specialists, data insights, ops, community leaders and franchise teams who poured their passion into Halo, gaming, and engaging and serving players and fans.
"My thoughts are with every Halo team member and with the broader Xbox teams affected. For teams looking to hire, you will not find a more dedicated, capable, or community-driven group of people. Their talent and heart run deep."
Kiki Wolfkill, another enormously influential figure in Halo's recent history, having led 343 Studios for a number of years, added that she was "gutted to hear the news today". "Sending love and support to everyone impacted by the layoffs at Halo Studios and across Xbox. I know how much talent, heart, and care these teams pour into this work—and how deeply this can affect individuals, families, and teams.
سەرچاوەی فەرمی بە زمانی ئینگلیزی: https://www.eurogamer.net/halo-studios-closure-xbox-cuts-kiki-wolfkill-bonnie-ross
