Former Halo Director Frank O'Connor Outlines Three Paths for Activision's Next Game

Key points

• Frank O'Connor, who led Halo development until 2023, outlined three strategies for Activision: a 'classic' sandbox shooter, a modern reinvention of the genre, or a service-based model similar to Call of Duty.
• O'Connor emphasized that none of the paths are guaranteed to succeed but noted that a classic approach could leverage the series' strong multiplayer community.
• He specifically recommended that Activision hire developers who were laid off from Bungie and Halo Studios, citing their talent and ideas that were previously cut.
• O'Connor advised against tying the next Halo release to hardware or service launch cycles, referencing the issues faced by Halo Infinite on older platforms.
• Activision has not yet assembled a dedicated team for the next Halo game, suggesting the project is still in early planning stages.

Background

This advice comes shortly after Microsoft's major restructuring of its gaming division in September 2026. Xbox cut 268 jobs, effectively closing Halo Studios and transferring the next mainline Halo title to Activision. The move was part of a broader 'reset' that also affected studios like Bethesda, Rare, and Playground Games, while Ninja Theory faced potential closure.

How outlets are covering it

Eurogamer and Kotaku both highlight O'Connor's three specific paths for the franchise, noting his credibility as a 19-year veteran of the Xbox ecosystem. Broken Joysticks provides the broader context of the restructuring, detailing the 268 job cuts and the transfer of Halo to Activision, but does not focus on O'Connor's specific strategic advice. O'Connor's perspective is distinct from the corporate restructuring news, offering a creative and staffing solution to the franchise's uncertain future, whereas the other sources focus on the operational and structural changes at Microsoft.

Why it matters

The future of Halo, a flagship franchise for Microsoft, is now in the hands of Activision. O'Connor's advice highlights the tension between preserving the series' identity and adapting to modern business models. His call to hire laid-off talent suggests a potential strategy for Activision to retain institutional knowledge and creative momentum despite the recent layoffs.

What to watch

Activision is expected to assemble a dedicated team for the next Halo game, though no timeline has been announced. The company will likely decide which of O'Connor's three paths to pursue, or a hybrid, as it develops the franchise. The fate of laid-off developers from Bungie and Halo Studios will also be a key factor in the project's success.