Former Halo Infinite Design Head’s Studio Pauses First Game Project
Jerry Hook, former head of design for Halo Infinite, has announced that his newly formed studio, Jar of Sparks, has paused development on its first game project. The studio, which operates under Chinese tech giant NetEase, is now searching for a new publishing partner to bring their vision to life.
Hook left 343 Industries in 2022 and launched Jar of Sparks with the aim of creating “narrative-driven action games” that push boundaries. However, the studio has faced setbacks, with limited updates on progress since its formation. Hook confirmed the development halt in a LinkedIn post, mentioning that the team would be “exploring new opportunities” as they seek a publishing partner.
While layoffs were not explicitly mentioned, Hook’s statement indicated that the team would be finding new roles as the studio pauses its project. This marks another challenge for NetEase, which has also supported other studios, including Marvel Rivals and Once Human. Despite these challenges, Halo Infinite remains in a period of transition with recent restructuring at 343 Industries, which is working on new Halo titles powered by Unreal Engine.
The future of Jar of Sparks and its ambitious vision remains uncertain, but the search for a new partner signals hope for a new chapter for the studio.
