Halo veteran Joseph Staten is leaving Microsoft

Halo veteran Joseph Staten is leaving Microsoft, the Xbox maker has confirmed.

His departure will mark the end of a second nine-year spell at Microsoft, where Staten recently served as head of creative on Halo Infinite at 343 Industries.

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

“Hey folks, I am indeed leaving Microsoft,” Staten said after the news broke. “I’ll have more info to share soon, but for now, I’d just like to thank all my Xbox colleagues for all their understanding and support as I embark on a new adventure.”

Staten was at Halo creator Bungie when Microsoft acquired the studio in 2000, and he served as a writer and cinematic director on the first two entries in Xbox’s flagship shooter series.

He was also a writer on Halo 3 and Halo Reach, and a creative consultant on the RTS spin-off Halo wars.

After Bungie split from Microsoft in 2007, Staten worked as writer and creative director on Halo 3: ODST, and as writer and co-creative director on Destiny.

He returned to Microsoft in 2014 to work as senior creative director at Xbox Game Studios Publishing, which partners with indie studios to create Xbox franchises.

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He left the publishing division in 2020 to help 343 ship the troubled Halo Infinite as the game’s head of creative.

In January, it was reported that Staten was to leave 343 to rejoin Xbox Game Studios Publishing.

News of his departure coincided with Microsoft’s announcement of mass layoffs which hit its video game business across both Xbox and Bethesda.