Halo Infinite has lost another director as 343 studio head exits the project

343 Industries partner studio head Chris Lee, who oversaw development of Halo Infinite, has left the project.

Lee, who has been at 343 Industries since 2008 and remains a Microsoft employee, was reportedly sidelined following Halo Infinite’s recent delay.

“I have stepped back from Infinite and I am looking at future opportunities,” he told Bloomberg. “I believe in the team and am confident they will deliver a great game and now is a good time for me to step away.”

Microsoft also said in a statement: “Chris Lee remains a Microsoft employee and while he has stepped back from Halo: Infinite right now, we appreciate all he has done for the project to date.”

Development of Halo Infinite, which was originally scheduled to be an Xbox Series X/S launch title this November, has not gone smoothly.

Former creative director Tim Longo left 343 Industries in August 2019, before lead producer Mary Olson departed the studio last October.

Following Halo Infinite’s gameplay reveal in late July, its visual fidelity faced widespread criticism from the media, fans and even big brands, who highlighted issues with both the title’s art direction and the perceived lack of advancement since the last Halo game.

Soon after Microsoft confirmed that Halo Infinite had been delayed to 2021. Following the delay, 343 Industries brought in a pair of Halo veterans to help ship the shooter.

Bungie veteran Joseph Staten, who worked on the very first Halo titles, mostly focusing on story and characters, was appointed project lead on Infinite’s campaign mode.

And Pierre Hintze, who was head of publishing for The Master Chief Collection, was assigned to take charge of Halo Infinite’s free-to-play multiplayer mode.

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