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Microsoft announced that the next mainline Halo game will be developed by Activision through a new, purpose-built team separate from the Call of Duty studio, rather than by longtime steward Halo Studios (formerly 343 Industries). Halo Studios itself is being dramatically reduced in size, with only a small team remaining to support existing games and the community. The news broke amid Xbox's broader restructuring wave revealed September 22. The shakeup also affected personnel directly: Halo Studios cinematic director Josh Daniels revealed he was promoted and then laid off within the same week, underscoring the turmoil facing the franchise's creative team as oversight shifts to Activision.