Activision Takes Over Halo: Can Call of Duty's Studio Save the Franchise?

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has tasked Activision with developing the next Halo, aiming to fix the series' inconsistent release cadence and lack of must-play entries since Bungie left.

What happens when the studio behind Call of Duty is handed the keys to Halo? That's the reality now, as Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has assigned Activision the task of developing the next Halo game. It's a move that's equal parts surprising and logical, given Halo's struggles over the past 15 years.

Let's rewind. Halo was once Xbox's crown jewel, a system-seller that defined a generation. Bungie delivered five iconic games in a decade, but since 343 Industries (now Halo Studios) took over, the franchise has lost its way. There hasn't been a must-play Halo since Bungie left, and the release cadence has been painfully slow: a six-year gap between Halo 5 and Infinite, with another six-year gap looming. Meanwhile, Call of Duty churns out high-budget shooters year after year. If Xbox wants Halo to be a regular fixture again, Activision is the factory for the job.

But cadence isn't the only issue. Halo Studios tried to honor Bungie's legacy while pushing forward, yet each game felt like a struggle to find a new identity. Halo 4 was a solid continuation, Halo 5's campaign misfired, and Infinite mixed open-world trends with nostalgic callbacks. The result? A fractured trilogy that never quite recaptured the magic. Contrast that with Gears of War, which managed to carve out its own coherent identity under The Coalition. Halo's quest to stay true to Bungie became its albatross.

Now, with Halo Studios reportedly gutted and Activision in charge, the big question remains: what is post-Bungie Halo? A vague rumor suggests a full reboot, which has fans divided. Some want to preserve the canon, others think it's time to lay Master Chief to rest. Personally, I don't feel strongly either way, but I do think it's time for a fresh start.

Activision faces the same challenge that Halo Studios did: balancing old and new. But with their resources and experience, they might just pull it off. Will they deliver the Halo we've been waiting for? Only time will tell.

What do you think? Is Activision the right studio to revive Halo, or should Microsoft have looked elsewhere? Sound off in the comments!