Activision Is Developing the Next Halo Game: What Changes for the Series?

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Halo is entering another major development transition. Microsoft has confirmed that a newly created team under Activision will develop the next Halo game. So, who is developing the next Halo game, and what does the change mean for Halo Studios?

Activision Will Develop the Next Halo Game

Microsoft confirmed the move on September 22, 2026 as part of a wider restructuring of its Xbox studios. Rather than assigning Halo directly to an existing Activision developer, the company is creating a purpose-built team focused specifically on the franchise. Microsoft also says this team will operate separately from ongoing Call of Duty development and planning.

That means Infinity Ward, Treyarch and Sledgehammer Games have not been announced as the developers of the project. Activision says it has already started assembling the new Halo team and has set an ambitious goal for the group. The company wants to create a game worthy of Halo’s history while preserving the elements that made players care about the series in the first place.

What Happens to Halo Studios?

Halo Studios is not shutting down completely. Microsoft says a smaller team will remain in place to support the Halo community and games already on the market. The change comes as part of a broader Xbox restructuring that will eliminate 268 roles across Halo Studios, other first-party teams and Xbox Game Studios management. Development of the next major entry and support for existing Halo games will therefore be handled by separate groups.

What Do We Know About Activision’s Halo Game?

Microsoft has not revealed the title, story or gameplay structure of the new project. It is not yet known whether Master Chief will return as the main character or whether the story will directly continue from Halo Infinite. Multiplayer, Forge and campaign co-op also remain unconfirmed.

Sources speaking to The Hollywood Reporter describe the project as a full-featured mainline Halo installment. Microsoft has not included that description in its official announcement, so it should currently be treated as reported information rather than a confirmed feature. If accurate, it would indicate that Activision is working on a major new entry rather than another remake or smaller spin-off.

The technology behind the game is another unanswered question. Halo Studios previously announced plans to move future Halo development to Unreal Engine, but Microsoft has not confirmed whether Activision’s new team will follow the same direction.

When Will the Next Halo Game Be Released?

There is currently no release date for Activision’s Halo project. Microsoft has not announced supported platforms or a reveal window either. Because the dedicated development team is still being assembled, there is not enough confirmed information to give the game a reliable release year.

The most significant confirmed change is therefore happening behind the scenes. Activision will lead development of the next Halo game, while a smaller Halo Studios team continues supporting existing titles and the community. The first proper reveal should give players a much clearer idea of what this new era of Halo will actually look like.