Sorry, Halo Wars fans – the series looks dead at least for now.
Halo Keeper 343 said earlier that its focus on The Master Chief Collection means it has no plans to return to Halo Wars 2, the creative assembly-developed real-time strategy game released in 2017.
But now all the MCC titles are available on a computer, some have wondered if 343 would return after updating Halo Wars 2 with new content. The news is unfortunately that Halo Wars 2 is finished.
Not only that, there are no current plans to release a Halo Wars 3 – or any new game in the series.
“It’s not always easy to be open and transparent – especially if we expect it not to be an answer the community wants to hear – but we want to give it straight to you: 343 Industries has no current plans for further Halo Wars 2 does not work, including content updates, balance patches, to bring the title to other platforms, or a new game in the series, ‘343 community manager John Junyszek wrote in a report on Halo Waypoint.
“However, we will continue to monitor the game and ensure that everything works as expected.”
Junyszek did emphasize the use of the word ‘currently’. Maybe Halo Wars will return someday – but do not hold your breath.
“As of today, there is no plan for the development team to get in touch with Halo Wars 2 again and we are not currently working on a new game in the series. But we are specifically never going to say because, well, who knows which can bring the future. ‘
In short: there is no work on Halo Wars. The Halo Wars 2 Steam dream is over.
The natural question to ask is why?
“It really comes down to the reality of finite time, resources and focus for the studio,” Junyszek said.
The 343 Publishing team has no shortage of ideas and inspiration to pursue for MCC and a lot of sustained work to support the Halo franchise. Meanwhile, the majority of the studio is incredibly focused and working on the launch of Halo Infinite (and you may have also heard ‘launch is just the beginning’).
“Given the broader impact initiatives to which the studio is already dedicated, we unfortunately cannot devote the time and attention we need to deliver additional updates and content for the Halo Wars franchise.”
Halo Wars 2 was launched almost four years ago and the last balance solution was released in August 2020. The last balance goes down.
“Halo Wars 2 has expanded the Halo universe, introduced us to new characters and experiences, and inspired the future of the franchise with its classic art style and the launch of The Banished,” Junyszek concluded.
“Thanks again to everyone in the Halo Wars community for your support and we look forward to The Banished reuniting this fall in Halo Infinite.”