For a little over a year now, Microsoft has been in the process of buying Activision-Blizzard in what is the biggest acquisition in gaming history. A deal that would land Microsoft with Activision, Blizzard, and all of their related studios and IPs, theActivision-Blizzard acquisition isn’t going quite as smoothlyas Microsoft might have been expecting, with the rest of the industry throwing its hands up in protest, believing that it could lead to a monopoly in the gaming space. While the outcome of the acquisition is still largely unknown, if it is passed, it could end up being the best thing to happen to theHalofranchise in quite some time.
Despite its best efforts, 343 Industries has come up short once again with theHalolicense. Though it certainly has some strong elements,Halo Infinite’s lack of modes, maps, and consistent supporthas let it down severely, and fans are more convinced than ever that 343 Industries just doesn’t have what it takes to wield Xbox’s most influential franchise. But if Microsoft’s Activision-Blizzard acquisition goes through, then it could finally giveHalothe break it so desperately needs.
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Microsoft’s Activision-Blizzard Acquisition Could Finally Give Halo a Chance to Breathe
Since its debut in 2001,Halohas beenXbox’s flagship franchise. Designed to be the original Xbox’s tentpole release,Halohas continued to be used to sell every generation of Xbox since. While aHalogame may not have been around at the start of each console generation cycle, it’s likely to be advertised extensively in the build-up to the console’s release, and it’s the one franchise Xbox knows that fans will show up for.Haloand Xbox are synonymous with each other, and that’s just the way things have been for over two decades.
When Bungie left Microsoft to pursue its own original IPs, the internal studio 343 Industries was tasked with taking over theHalofranchise. Despite working closely with Bungie for a few years, 343 Industries had barely any solo experience in the gaming industry before it was tasked with creatingHalo 4and managing one of the most prestigious gaming franchises in the world. ThoughHalo 4,Halo 5: Guardians, andHalo Infiniteall have their good qualities, it appears that 343 Industries has just never been properly equipped to deal with the sheer weight and pressure that comes with handling such a monumental franchise.
That might all finally change with the Activision-Blizzard deal. If Microsoft’s acquisition goes through, then the publisher could be about to receive a plethora of talented video game studios, some of which have worked in the industry for over two decades. With these studios on its side, Microsoft could shift focus away fromHalofor the first time in 22 years, and establish a new set of flagship IPs. And with the pressure alleviated at least a little, 343 Industries might finally be given enough time to create a truly innovative, ground-breakingHaloexperience. After all,Halo Infinitehad some great ideas, it just failed to execute them well.
Not only would 343 Industries have more time to developthe nextHalogame, but it would also be able to make use of Microsoft’s newly acquired studios, some of which could be able to help out during development. Co-development has been a hidden but common part of the gaming industry for decades, and sometimes it’s the best way to ensure that a product meets deadlines and quality thresholds. If 343 Industries is still findingHalodevelopment too daunting, then assistance from a newly acquired studio might be the best way to keep things in check.
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