Jar of Sparks, NetEase's Studio, Pauses Development on First Game
Jerry Hook, former design lead for Halo Infinite, announced that his studio, Jar of Sparks, a NetEase subsidiary, has temporarily halted development on its debut project. The studio, formed in 2022, is actively seeking a new publishing partner to realize its vision for a next-generation narrative-driven action game.
NetEase, a prominent global video game company, currently supports live-service titles such as Once Human and the recently launched Marvel Rivals. The latter's success, including the recent announcement of its Season 1 Battle Pass and the upcoming Fantastic Four content, highlights NetEase's commitment to its live-service portfolio.
Hook's LinkedIn post confirmed the development pause, emphasizing the studio's ambition to create "something truly new and exciting." While layoffs weren't explicitly stated, Hook indicated that team members will be exploring new opportunities, and the studio will assist in finding them new roles in the coming weeks. This mirrors the experience of other studios formed under NetEase, such as GPTRACK50 Studios founded by former Resident Evil producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi.
This news comes amidst ongoing developments within 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.
Jar of Sparks' temporary hiatus presents an opportunity for the studio to secure a publishing partner better suited to its creative goals. The future remains uncertain, but the team's dedication to innovation and the potential for a strong comeback remain.
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