Jerry Hook's Jar of Sparks, a NetEase-backed studio, has paused development on its debut game project and is actively seeking a new publishing partner. This news follows Hook's departure from 343 Industries and Microsoft in 2022, where he led design on Halo Infinite. Jar of Sparks, established the same year, aimed to deliver "next-generation narrative-driven action games."
NetEase, a global gaming giant, currently supports live-service titles like Once Human and Marvel Rivals. The latter, launched recently to great fanfare, recently unveiled 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, emphasizing the search for a publisher who can fully realize Jar of Sparks' creative vision. He expressed pride in the team's innovative work but also acknowledged the team's members will be exploring new opportunities, with the studio assisting in finding them new roles as the first project concludes. This isn't NetEase's first collaboration with a veteran game developer; former Resident Evil producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi also launched GPTRACK50 Studios under NetEase in 2022.
The news comes amidst ongoing developments in the Halo franchise, which has faced challenges with Halo Infinite's post-launch support and the reception of the Paramount+ series. 343 Industries' rebranding to Halo Studios and the shift to Unreal Engine may signal a revitalization for the franchise. While Jar of Sparks temporarily suspends its project, the future remains uncertain for the studio and its ambitious vision.
[NetEase's Jar of Sparks Studio Halts Development on First Game Project](Link Placeholder)
