If Halo Infinite missing the Xbox Series X launch window was not the biggest clue of its troubling development, then I guess this is it. Talking to Bloomberg, Halo Infinite lead director Chris Lee said that he is no longer working at 343 Industries, but he is still employed at Microsoft. Quoting Bloomberg, Lee is looking for other opportunities and believes the team will still able to launch a great product without his help:
I have stepped back from Infinite and I am looking at future opportunities. 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.”
This is the second time Halo Infinite has lost a leading development member. In August 2019, the game creative director Tim Longo and executive producer Mary Olson left 343 Industries. Later on August 2020, Microsoft moved Joseph Staten to 343 Industries as the campaign mode project lead together with senior 343 Industries staff Pierre Hintze as a project lead on the multiplayer side of Halo Infinite. They were supposed to work with Lee until the game was released.
Lee has worked with Microsoft since before 343 Industries existed, dating back to 2003. He then joined Microsoft Game Studios in 2004 as a software testing engineer. In 2008 Lee joined 343 Industries, a year after its founding, and Bungie ending their partnership with Microsoft. Prior to Halo Infinite, Lee was involved in many Halo titles:
- Worked as Microsoft Game Studios lead producer on Halo 3: ODST and Halo: Reach.
- Appointed as the senior lead producer on Halo 4.
- As the executive producer on Halo 5: Guardians.
- Assumed the role of studio head of FPS Game Development after Josh Holmes’ departure in 2016.
Ever since the delay, 343 Industries haven’t announced a new release date or even a window for Halo Infinite. Despite that, the company promises that the game will be out next year. What do you think of this news? Tell me in the comments below.
