Halo veteran developer Joseph Staten leaves Microsoft

gamesradar.com:

Long-time Halo developer and Microsoft executive, Joseph Staten, has confirmed he's leaving Microsoft.

Staten had been at Halo studio 343 Industries until January 2023, after which it was revealed he'd left the developer to join Microsoft as a creative director. Just three months later, it now seems as though Staten is leaving Microsoft completely. 

"Hey folks, I am indeed leaving Microsoft," Staten – who worked at Microsoft for two separate nine-year periods – confirmed via tweet over the weekend. 

"I'll have more info to share soon, but for now, I'd just like to thank all my Xbox colleagues for all their understanding and support as I embark on a new adventure."

Hey folks, I am indeed leaving Microsoft. I'll have more info to share soon, but for now, I'd just like to thank all my @Xbox colleagues for all their understanding and support as I embark on a new adventure. https://t.co/oMR0LXOzZbApril 8, 2023

"We’re grateful for Joseph’s contributions to the Halo franchise and Xbox as a whole,”"a Microsoft spokesperson told IGN (opens in new tab). "We wish him all the best in his new adventure."

While Halo Infinite was critically successful (opens in new tab) at launch, its sporadic and delayed content updates have left fans frustrated. Since then, there have been several high profile exits, including 343 Industries founder Bonnie Ross, who left the studio after 15 years (opens in new tab).

The studio was then hit hard by Microsoft's latest round of layoffs (opens in new tab), prompting rumors that 343 Industries will apparently soon be ceasing active game development (opens in new tab) and franchising the Halo license to other studios after Halo Infinite allegedly failed to meet its financial expectations. The single-player