Halo veteran Joseph Staten is leaving Microsoft, the Xbox maker has confirmed.
His departure will mark the end of a second nine-year spell atMicrosoft, where Staten recently served as head of creative onHalo Infiniteat343 Industries.
“We’re grateful for Joseph’s contributions to theHalofranchise andXboxas a whole,” a Microsoft spokesperson toldIGN. “We wish him all the best in his new adventure.”
“Hey folks, I am indeed leaving Microsoft,” Statensaidafter the news broke. “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.”
Staten was at Halo creatorBungiewhen Microsoft acquired the studio in 2000, and he served as a writer and cinematic director on the first two entries in Xbox’s flagship shooter series.
He was also a writer on Halo 3 and Halo Reach, and a creative consultant on the RTS spin-off Halo wars.
After Bungie split from Microsoft in 2007, Staten worked as writer and creative director on Halo 3: ODST, and as writer and co-creative director onDestiny.
He returned to Microsoft in 2014 to work as senior creative director at Xbox Game Studios Publishing, which partners with indie studios to create Xbox franchises.
Further reading
He left the publishing divisionin 2020 to help 343 ship the troubled Halo Infiniteas the game’s head of creative.
In January, it was reported thatStaten was to leave 343to rejoin Xbox Game Studios Publishing.
News of his departure coincided withMicrosoft’s announcement of mass layoffswhich hit its video game businessacross both Xbox and Bethesda.
