Halo Infinite Design Chief's Studio Cancels First

Jar of Sparks, NetEase's Studio, Pauses Development on First Game

Jerry Hook, former design head for Halo Infinite, announced that his studio, Jar of Sparks, a NetEase subsidiary, has temporarily halted development on its debut project. Hook, who left 343 Industries and Microsoft in 2022 to found Jar of Sparks, described the initial project as a "next-generation narrative-driven action game." The studio is now actively seeking a new publishing partner to realize its creative vision.

NetEase, a global gaming giant, currently supports live-service titles Once Human and Marvel Rivals. The latter, launched in December 2024, recently unveiled its Season 1 Battle Pass and is gearing up for the arrival of the Fantastic Four in January 2025.

Hook's LinkedIn post confirmed the development pause, emphasizing the studio's commitment to finding a partner capable of supporting their ambitious goals. He expressed pride in the team's innovative work and the groundwork laid thus far. While layoffs weren't explicitly stated, Hook indicated the team would be exploring new opportunities and assisting members in finding new roles in the coming weeks.

This isn't NetEase's first collaboration with a prominent game industry veteran. In 2022, former Resident Evil producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi established GPTRACK50 Studios under the same publisher.

The Halo franchise, Hook's former employer, has faced recent challenges with Halo Infinite's post-launch support and the reception of the Paramount+ series. However, 343 Industries' rebranding to Halo Studios and the shift to Unreal Engine for future titles suggest a potential resurgence for the franchise. Meanwhile, Jar of Sparks' temporary pause presents an opportunity for the studio to secure a partnership that can effectively launch its inaugural title.

[See at Official Site]