Frank O’Connor, the man who shaped Halo as its franchise creative director for nearly two decades, has laid out three possible futures for the series as it prepares to land in the hands of Activision. O’Connor, who led the franchise at 343 Industries (now Halo Studios) before departing in 2023, offered his analysis in response to a LinkedIn discussion about how Microsoft’s new parent company might approach Xbox’s former biggest intellectual property.
The comments arrive at a pivotal moment for the franchise. After years of development turbulence, leadership changes, and a widely reported decision by Xbox leadership to hand the flagship shooter to the House of Call of Duty, longtime insiders are now weighing in on what the next era of Halo might look like. O’Connor was candid from the outset, warning that none of the paths he outlined are easy, guaranteed, or necessarily viable — but that any one of them could succeed.
A Conversation That Sparked the Analysis
O’Connor’s thoughts were prompted by a post from Genevieve Harrison, the former Xbox Social Media Manager of Executive Communications, who was examining how Activision might approach the franchise. Harrison acknowledged that operational discipline is Activision’s proven strength while cautioning that talent cannot simply be transferred between studios.
Genevieve Harrison, former Xbox Social Media Manager of Executive Communications
That framing set the stage for O’Connor to offer a more structured take. Having joined the Halo franchise after leaving Official Xbox Magazine to work on Halo 2 at Bungie, he brought both a creative and industry perspective to the question of Halo’s future at Activision.
The Three Paths Forward
O’Connor’s first scenario is a return to form: a “classic” Halo experience built around the movement, sandbox, and shooter mechanics that defined the series, tailored to the core audience while remaining attractive enough to draw in a broader player base. He noted the obvious mathematical reality that Halo’s multiplayer thrives with more people playing, making a faithful approach a natural fit for growing the community.
The second path leans toward reinvention. O’Connor described a modern title that surprises players by reimagining the game or its universe — perhaps a fresh take on the FPS genre or even an action RPG — that leans on a strong story, smart use of the IP, and a head start fueled by curiosity and fan loyalty.
The third scenario is the most pragmatic, translating the Halo IP and sandbox into what O’Connor called the “ATVI comfort zone.” This would mean leveraging proven player, progression, and business models to craft a large-scale annual or semi-annual spectacle with a steady stream of content. He offered pointed advice along the way: avoid tying the game to hardware or services launch cycles, resist forcing it into a shape it cannot fit, and never abandon the sandbox. His final tip was perhaps the most pointed — hire the talented developers at Bungie, Halo Studios, and elsewhere who were laid off after their projects were cut.
Context Behind the Debate
The timing of O’Connor’s comments reflects a studio and franchise in transition. Halo Studios underwent a rebranding effort from its former name, 343 Industries, alongside a leadership shakeup and a pivot to Unreal Engine as its underlying technology in 2024. Earlier this year, the studio shipped Halo: Campaign Evolved, the multiplayer-less remake of the original game. Yet reports suggested the studio was still years away from its next mainline project before Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and Xbox COO Matt Booty decided to move the franchise over to Activision.
The decision has divided commentators. Some analysts question whether Activision can rescue Halo on the creative side, while others argue the franchise must inevitably move beyond Bungie’s original template to find new life. O’Connor’s willingness to entertain multiple scenarios — rather than championing a single answer — underscores how uncertain the road ahead remains for one of gaming’s most iconic series.
Looking Ahead
For now, the three paths O’Connor outlined stand as a framework for how fans and industry watchers might evaluate Activision’s eventual decisions. Whether the studio doubles down on a faithful classic, takes a bold creative risk, or applies its signature live-services playbook will determine which route Halo ultimately takes. Until then, the franchise’s next mainline entry remains firmly in the planning stages, leaving supporters to watch closely as the next chapter of Halo begins to take shape.
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