Frank O'Connor, who long served as Creative Director for Halo, proposed three potential paths for the series' future in response to discussions on LinkedIn: continuing classic gameplay, significantly reinventing the game, and attempting live-service content operations. These are his personal suggestions for future production directions, not official development plans announced by Activision or Xbox.
The first path is to create a classic Halo experience centered around movement mechanics, sandbox gameplay, and shooting feel. O'Connor believes that the project's scale can be supported by core players while also striving to reach a broader audience.
The second path involves a more substantial reinvention of the game and its world. While retaining the sandbox action foundation, the new title could adopt a different first-person shooter format or shift towards action RPG elements, leveraging storytelling to unlock the series' potential.
The third path draws on Activision's experience operating large-scale franchises, combining player progression, business models, and a steady stream of content to attempt launching major experiences annually or even more frequently. O'Connor emphasized that none of the three paths are easy, success is not guaranteed, and they may not even be entirely feasible.
O'Connor advised that Halo's release schedule should not be constrained by hardware or service timelines, nor should the series abandon its sandbox gameplay. He also recommended that Activision hire previously laid-off employees from Bungie, Halo Studios, and other related studios. He stated that these developers possess considerable talent and hold many creative concepts that were previously cut or shelved, which could aid in the development of the new title.
In recent years, the industry has faced soaring budgets and rising operational costs, leading to frequent layoffs. Bungie remains under continuous pressure, and Halo Studios has just undergone significant team reductions. Now, development of the new Halo IP title has been transferred to Activision, which will form an independent team rather than assigning it to the Call of Duty development group. O'Connor believes that for Activision to restore Halo's glory, it can recruit senior personnel familiar with the IP's history. Bungie has deep roots in Halo's development, and Halo Studios was specifically built for the series. These talents, well-versed in the IP, hold significant value for Activision in crafting the next generation of Halo games.