Jar of Sparks, the NetEase-backed studio founded by former Halo Infinite design head Jerry Hook, has paused development on its debut game project. The studio is actively seeking a new publishing partner to help realize its creative vision.
Hook, who left 343 Industries and Microsoft in 2022 to establish Jar of Sparks, described the initial project as a "next-generation narrative-driven action game." While details remain scarce, the decision to halt development and seek a new publisher suggests challenges in bringing the project to fruition under NetEase.
NetEase, a prominent global video game company, currently supports live-service titles such as Once Human and Marvel Rivals. The latter recently launched its Season 1 Battle Pass and is preparing for the addition of the Fantastic Four in January 2025.
Hook's LinkedIn post confirmed the development pause and the search for a new publishing partner. He emphasized the team's commitment to innovation and expressed pride in their accomplishments, acknowledging that team members will be exploring new opportunities. He further clarified in a separate post that the studio will be assisting team members in finding new roles in the coming weeks.
This situation mirrors the experience of other veteran developers who have partnered with NetEase, such as Hiroyuki Kobayashi, former Resident Evil producer, who founded GPTRACK50 Studios in 2022.
The news comes amidst a period of transition for the Halo franchise, which has faced challenges with Halo Infinite's post-launch content and the reception of the Paramount+ series. However, 343 Industries' rebranding to Halo Studios and the shift to Unreal Engine suggest a potential resurgence for the franchise.
While Jar of Sparks' future remains uncertain, the search for a new publisher represents a significant step in the studio's evolution. The outcome will be closely watched by the gaming community.
