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Microsoft announced today that it will be closing down Xbox Entertainment Studios – the place for original TV content. These cuts come shortly after Microsoft announced a company wide re-structuring on Thursday, which will eliminate up to 18,000 jobs within the next year. So what does this mean for major upcoming projects like Halo: Nightfall and the Halo television series produced by Steven Spielberg?
Head of Xbox – Phil Spencer issued a statement today that said:
“I am pleased that Nancy, Jordan and members of the XES team remain committed to new, original programming already in production like the upcoming documentary series ‘Signal to Noise’ whose first installment takes on the rise and fall of gaming icon Atari and of course, the upcoming game franchise series ‘Halo: Nightfall,’ and the ‘Halo’ Television series which will continue as planned with 343 Industries. “
So it would appear that Halo: Nightfall and the Halo television series have survived the dreaded cuts, and will go ahead as scheduled. This brings a sigh of relief to Halo fans everywhere who were uncertain the fate of these highly anticipated new projects.
For more details on Halo: Nightfall, be sure to keep an eye on TeamBeyond.net – 343 Industries will be hosting a San Diego Comic Con Panel next weekend which will give us our first glimpse at the live-action series. The series is going to revolve around the back story of Agent Locke, the Spartan featured on the cover of Halo 5: Guardians.