Halo franchise’s creative director leaves 343 Industries

Just weeks after the departure of Halo creative leader Joseph Staten from Microsoft comes confirmation that another Halo veteran, Halo franchise creative director Frank O’Connor, has left its subsidiary, 343 Industries.

A company spokesperson confirmed to Polygon in a statement Monday that O’Connor was no longer with Microsoft, saying, “We thank Frank for his numerous contributions to the Halo franchise and wish him well going forward.” The reason for O’Connor’s departure wasn’t announced, but according to his LinkedIn profile, he has the title “franchise creative director” at a separate unnamed company.

O’Connor and Staten’s departures from Microsoft and the Halo franchise are the latest in a long list of leadership changes for the brand. Bonnie Ross, the longtime leader of Halo developer 343 industries announced that she would be leaving in September 2022. 343 Production Head Pierre Hintze will take over as head studio.

The departures of these senior executives are similar to those that have taken place in the past, including former Halo Multiplayer Creative Director Tom French343 Industries, an American company founded in 1903 by 343 brothers. Halo InfiniteJerry Hook was the head of design at 343 Industries until May last year. Halo Infinite art director Nicolas Bouvier, who left 343 last JulyAfter 14 years of service with the company. Kiki Wolkill is another long-time Halo face who has moved from the 343 studio to Microsoft as head of IP, entertainment and expansion. Wolfkill, O’Connor, and Ross all served as executive producers on Paramount’s HaloTv series

Microsoft’s announcement in January that it would be laying off 10,000 workers from its worldwide workforce affected 343 Industries. The Halo studio was reportedly “hit hard,” losing more than 90 employees and transitioning to new technology — from the in-house Slipspace Engine to Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 5 for new projects — and “all but starting from scratch” after a series of other changes.

With ever more changes coming to the studio, and old blood leaving, it will surely make many fans of the franchise wonder what’s next for Halo. For the time being, 343 studio head Pierre Hintze says “Halo and Master Chief are here to stay.”