Jerry Hook's Jar of Sparks, a NetEase-backed studio, has paused development on its debut game project and is actively seeking a new publishing partner. This news follows Hook's departure from 343 Industries and Microsoft in 2022, where he served as head of design for Halo Infinite. Jar of Sparks, formed the same year, aimed to create "next-generation narrative-driven action games."

NetEase, a global gaming giant, currently supports live-service titles like Once Human and Marvel Rivals. The latter, launched recently, is preparing for its Season 1 Battle Pass and the upcoming addition of the Fantastic Four.

Hook announced the development halt on LinkedIn, stating the studio is searching for a publisher that aligns with its creative vision. He expressed pride in the team's innovative work, emphasizing the bold risks taken to create something truly unique. While layoffs weren't explicitly mentioned, Hook indicated team members would be exploring new opportunities and the studio would assist in finding them new roles as the project concludes. This mirrors a similar situation with GPTRACK50 Studios, founded by former Resident Evil producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi under NetEase.

The pause in Jar of Sparks' development comes amidst a period of change for the Halo franchise. Following criticism of Halo Infinite's post-launch content and the Paramount+ series, 343 Industries' rebranding to Halo Studios and the shift to Unreal Engine signal a potential revitalization. Whether this will impact Jar of Sparks' future remains to be seen.

Key Takeaways:

• Jar of Sparks, founded by former Halo Infinite lead Jerry Hook, has halted development on its first game.
• The studio is seeking a new publishing partner after its initial collaboration with NetEase.
• NetEase is currently focused on its successful live-service titles.
• The future of Jar of Sparks and its team members is uncertain, although the studio is committed to assisting its employees in finding new roles.

[See at Official Site]