Jar of Sparks, NetEase's Studio, Pauses Development on Debut Title; Seeks New Publisher
Jerry Hook, former design lead for Halo Infinite, announced that his studio, Jar of Sparks, a NetEase subsidiary, has temporarily halted development on its inaugural game project. Hook, who left 343 Industries and Microsoft in 2022 to establish Jar of Sparks, described the project as a "next-generation narrative-driven action game." The studio is now actively searching for a new publishing partner to help realize its creative vision.
NetEase, a prominent global video game company, currently supports live-service titles such as Once Human and the recently launched Marvel Rivals. The latter's successful launch and subsequent Season 1 Battle Pass, along with the upcoming addition of the Fantastic Four, highlight NetEase's commitment to its live-service portfolio.
Hook's LinkedIn post confirmed the development pause, emphasizing the studio's bold approach and innovative design goals. While layoffs weren't explicitly stated, Hook indicated that team members would be exploring new opportunities and the studio would assist in finding them new roles in the coming weeks. This isn't NetEase's first collaboration with a veteran game developer; former Resident Evil producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi also established GPTRACK50 Studios under NetEase in 2022.
The news comes amidst a period of transition for the Halo franchise, marked by challenges in Halo Infinite's post-launch support and mixed 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.
While Jar of Sparks' project is temporarily on hold, the studio's commitment to innovation remains evident. Their search for a new publishing partner signals a strategic recalibration, aiming to secure the resources needed to bring their ambitious vision to fruition.
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