Support NeoGAF

[kyoji]

Joseph Staten Is Leaving Xbox, Microsoft Has Confirmed - IGN

Joseph Staten, head of creative on Halo Infinite and cinematic director on the first three Halo games, is leaving Microsoft, the company has confirmed to IGN.

www.ign.com

Joseph Staten Is Leaving Xbox, Microsoft Has Confirmed​

No word yet on where the Halo lead is headed next.​

By Rebekah Valentine

Posted: Apr 7, 2023 6:57 pm

Joseph Staten, head of creative on Halo Infinite and cinematic director on the first three Halo games, is leaving Microsoft, the company has confirmed to IGN.

In its message, Microsoft did not say where Staten was headed next, nor the reason he was leaving Microsoft after nine years.

“We’re grateful for Joseph’s contributions to the Halo franchise and Xbox as a whole," the statement from a Microsoft spokesperson reads. "We wish him all the best in his new adventure.”

Staten has long been one of the best-known names behind the Halo franchise, having been cinematic director on Combat Evolved, Halo 2, and Halo 3, and having served as lead writer on Destiny while with Bungie.

Halo Games in Chronological Order

He eventually left Bungie for Microsoft and served as a senior creative director, initially avoiding working on 343's Halo to focus on shaping franchise strategy for Microsoft Studios titles. He returned to the franchise in 2020 as campaign project lead and later head of creative, overseeing Halo Infinite. He then rejoined Xbox Publishing earlier this year at the same time that Microsoft announced the layoffs of 10,000 employees, including employees of 343. Staten has also written a number of Halo universe novelizations.

Staten declined to comment for this article.

 

[solidus12]

 

[ulantan]

They getting ready for Bobby and his boys.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

For a second I thought it said Joseph Stalin. lol

 

[diffusionx]

For a second I thought it said Joseph Stalin. lol

He might be the last hope for 343

 

[onQ123]

Probably back to Bungie or retiring

 

[kyoji]

Probably back to Bungie or retiring

Hes not retiring

 

[Barakov]

So much for Halo. Wonder where he is going to go?

 

[feynoob]

Guess this means halo reboot.

 

[Henry Panic]

That's the guy people claimed would save Halo when he was forced to help 343.

I guess even he couldn't clean up the mess.

Time to form a new studio?

 

[3liteDragon]

 

[radewagon]

 

[kyoji]

screenshot?

 

[Varteras]

One of the responses...


I'm not sure if this is some clever response but I'm gonna guess someone didn't tell this poor soul yet.

 

[Chiggs]

Halo is so completely and utterly dead.

Put that motherfucker on ice for ten goddamn years. Wake it up when someone other than Phil Spencer is in charge.

 

[Henry Panic]

People used to get arrested at overnight campouts before a Halo game released.

End of an era. Goodbye Halo.

 

[Ansphn]

Massive loss. Dude was a legend in my eyes.

 

[Gobjuduck]

Probably back to Bungie or retiring

if he wanted to work at bungie again, now is the worst time.

Bungie is as much of a shadow of its former self as halo is.

 

[lh032]

Next week: "Former Halo Head of creative formed a new studio"

 

[Sanepar]

Xbox missmanagement... totally disaster.

 

[Hurahn7]

LOL Damn, how long do you want people to work on these games? I was kid when Halo came out so he has to be getting up there in age. Good for him. Go do something else or retire my man.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

wow. such analysis such insight.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

Guess this means halo reboot.

they just reboot the franchise.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

He was the story guy right?

I never found the halo stories to be anything special and infinite had a terrible one so I’m not sure how much of a loss this really is tbh

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

people leaving, people getting fired....this is going to be a thing for the next couple of years at Xbox. don't be shocked.

 

[SlimySnake]

He was the story guy right?

I never found the halo stories to be anything special and infinite had a terrible one so I’m not sure how much of a loss this really is tbh

He was their new lead on all things halo.

Xbox just can’t retain talent. It’s basically a joke now.

 

[jm89]

He was their new lead on all things halo.

Xbox just can’t retain talent. It’s basically a joke now.

They retained phil spencer, his talented.....

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

He was their new lead on all things halo.

Xbox just can’t retain talent. It’s basically a joke now.

Yeah but he was known for narrative, I think. I don't know how critical he was for gameplay design and direction.

It still doesn't look good that he's left. Microsoft's way of managing studios with contractors is an absolute joke.

 

[VAVA Mk2]

He was the story guy right?

I never found the halo stories to be anything special and infinite had a terrible one so I’m not sure how much of a loss this really is tbh

He was primarily responsible for creation of the Halo Story Bible which created the basis of the expanded universe and lore that went with it which is pretty big. He was very important to the series.

 

[Bridges]

Oof, what is going on over there?

Halo Infinite is better than it gets credit for but I don't understand how these sorts of negative stories are so frequent.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

He was primarily responsible for creation of the Halo Story Bible which created the basis of the expanded universe and lore that went with it which is pretty big. He was very important to the series.

Yeah I realize he was important to the series.

But, the reasons I liked Halo have nothing to do with the story. I find it to be pretty crap tbh.

I liked Halo because of the engaging sandbox gameplay

 

[Luigi Mario]

He was the story guy right?

I never found the halo stories to be anything special and infinite had a terrible one so I’m not sure how much of a loss this really is tbh

Staten also was a creative director at Xbox Game Studios from 2014 until 2020 when he joined 343 Industries to work on Halo. He just returned to his old position in January this year and now he is gone for good.
You can look at his game credits here:

Joseph Staten - Video Game Credits - MobyGames

Joseph Staten has 61 credits on 35 games

www.mobygames.com

 

[Edmund]

Just realised Jez blocked me on twitter even though I've not replied to any of his posts. Just added likes to replies that call out his fanboy nonsense.

I'm an actor and piano teacher so I'm supposed to to be very emotionally vulnerable but this guy is a fucking baby.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

Just realised Jez blocked me on twitter even though I've not replied to any of his posts. Just added likes to replies that call out his fanboy nonsense.

same.

a truly sensitive boy.

 

[Luigi Mario]

Oof, what is going on over there?

Halo Infinite is better than it gets credit for but I don't understand how these sorts of negative stories are so frequent.

He hasn't been at 343 since January.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

Just realised Jez blocked me on twitter even though I've not replied to any of his posts. Just added likes to replies that call out his fanboy nonsense.

I'm an actor and piano teacher so I'm supposed to to be very emotionally vulnerable but this guy is a fucking baby.

That's kinda like Reee banning you because you post on GAF. petty shit

 

[gothmog]

What's the chances he ends up back at Bungie?

 

[Corndog]

He was their new lead on all things halo.

Xbox just can’t retain talent. It’s basically a joke now.

Nope.
https://www.ign.com/articles/halo-infinite-director-leaves-343-joins-xbox-publishing

 

[Kumomeme]

this is all evil sony fault!

 

[Balducci30]

Yeah I realize he was important to the series.

But, the reasons I liked Halo have nothing to do with the story. I find it to be pretty crap tbh.

I liked Halo because of the engaging sandbox gameplay

Agreed. Do not understand the people obsessed with the story bur more power to em

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

this is all evil sony fault!

i bet some people think this way.
is never Xbox's track record showing this is a systematic problem.

 

[phant0m]

People used to get arrested at overnight campouts before a Halo game released.

End of an era. Goodbye Halo.

Gamers: we like a fun, 15-20 hour campaign that we can play co-op with our friends on

343: what we have for you today is an open-world, live-service game that you can only play by yourself

It’s still utterly baffling how hard they missed on what made Halo special

 

[Jinzo Prime]

Joseph went to 343 to get Halo Infinite shipped, (game was mostly done before he got there) then went to head up Xbox Publishing. Wonder what happened at Publishing that would make him leave Microsoft?

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

Agreed. Do not understand the people obsessed with the story bur more power to em

he was supposed to be Halo's infinite savior.

he was a very important/legacy/leader figure inside Xbox.

 

[Corndog]

he was supposed to be Halo's infinite savior.

he was a very important/legacy/leader figure inside Xbox.

Can you not read? He hasn’t been at 343 since January.

 

[Corndog]

Joseph went to 343 to get Halo Infinite shipped, (game was mostly done before he got there) then went to head up Xbox Publishing. Wonder what happened at Publishing that would make him leave Microsoft?

Good question. Maybe he didn’t like the current direction.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

Can you not read? He hasn’t been at 343 since January.

wow dude, chill out. . did you read the questions I was replying?

Do not understand the people obsessed with the story

this person doesn't understand why this story is significant.

I was just saying this Joseph Staten IS NOT an ordinary chump.

he WAS seen as the savior (by the community) of infinite BEFORE releasing.

he was seen as figure of leadership inside Xbox

yezz dont get all crazy

 

[bluecowboys]

I always thought he was part of 343 still.

Halo infinite is one of the most played games rights now on Xbox and doing a lot better ever since Bonnie left which was the most important move.

Only person I truly wish didn’t leave is Rob Ferguson. He is the best director in the business and I honestly believe that.

 

[Balducci30]

he was supposed to be Halo's infinite savior.

he was a very important/legacy/leader figure inside Xbox.

I liked infinite as a game tbh - it was really fun, love the grappling hook - but the story wasn’t good. And it was missing a TON of basic features that are standard for halo games.

I guess the main thing is I actually don’t think any of the halo stories are good, at least in the games they were always like b-movie sci fi to me - I get that he’s a part of halo history but yeah. 343 is a sinking ship Id be more stoked if he got back with bungie and did the OG bungie crew for a new marathon game

 

[Naked Lunch]

So much flat out false info in this thread.
Staten joined the Infinite team at the tail end of the development - took a leadership role post the first major delay - basically he got the game shipped.
Plus Staten left 343 already, earlier this year - that news was the shocker to old timer Halo fans. That crowd was hoping he was the savior (me included) - when it appears he was just "the shipper".
Even more broadly - Staten already left and rejoined MS in the past.
Does make you wonder why he's leaving (again) though - he is getting older I think.

Its not all doom and gloom for Halo though because the dude who fixed the MCC is now in charge of 343.