Ex-Halo Boss Reveals 3 Possible Paths for Activision's Halo

Frank O'Connor, former Halo creative director, shares three potential directions for the franchise under Activision, from classic Halo to a bold reinvention or annualized content.

Ever wonder what's next for Halo now that Activision is calling the shots? Frank O'Connor, who spent nearly 20 years as Halo's Franchise Creative Director at 343 Industries/Halo Studios, has some ideas. He recently chimed in on LinkedIn with three possible paths for the series, and they're worth a look.

O'Connor, who left 343 in 2023, was responding to a post by former Xbox social media manager Genevieve Harrison. She pointed out that while Activision knows how to run a giant franchise, "Talent is not a SharePoint folder you drag from /Call of Duty into /Halo and wait for the little green checkmark." She also noted that Microsoft paid $68.7 billion for Activision Blizzard, so "Activision is Xbox." O'Connor agreed there are no easy answers, but he laid out three routes that could work.

Path one: Make a "classic" Halo movement, sandbox, and shooter experience tailored to the core audience, but scaled to attract a broader one. O'Connor points out the obvious: Halo multiplayer is better with more people playing, by mathematical default.

Path two: Reinvent the game and universe in a surprising but fantastic way. This could be a new take on the FPS, or even an action RPG, but fundamentally different. It would succeed through strong story, smart IP use, and a head start from curiosity or loyalty.

Path three: Translate Halo into Activision's comfort zone. Use proven player progression and business models to craft a big annual or semi-annual spectacle with constant content. O'Connor's pro-tip: Don't tie it to hardware or services launch cycles, don't force it into an aging platform, and don't abandon the sandbox. His pro-pro-tip: Hire laid-off talent from Bungie, Halo Studios, and elsewhere who are bursting with ideas that got shut down.

It's a lot to digest, especially after Halo Studios' 2024 rebrand, leadership shakeup, and pivot to Unreal Engine. They shipped Halo: Campaign Evolved earlier this year, but reportedly were years away from a new mainline Halo before Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and COO Matt Booty handed the reins to the House of Call of Duty.

So, which path do you think Activision should take? Or is there a fourth option? Let us know in the comments!