Jar of Sparks, NetEase-Backed Studio, Pauses Development on Debut Title

Jerry Hook, former design lead for Halo Infinite, announced that his studio, Jar of Sparks, has temporarily halted development on its first game project. The studio, operating under NetEase, was aiming to create a "next-generation narrative-driven action game," but is now actively seeking a new publishing partner.

NetEase, a prominent global video game publisher, 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, highlights NetEase's commitment to live-service games. The company is also preparing for the upcoming addition of the Fantastic Four to Marvel Rivals on January 10th.

Hook's LinkedIn post explained that Jar of Sparks is pausing development to find a partner who can better support their creative vision. He expressed pride in the team's innovative work and bold risks taken during the project's development. While layoffs weren't explicitly stated, Hook indicated that team members will be exploring new opportunities, and the studio will assist them in finding new roles in the coming weeks. This isn't NetEase's first collaboration with a veteran developer; former Resident Evil producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi formed GPTRACK50 Studios under NetEase in 2022.

The news comes amidst a period of transition for the Halo franchise, following challenges with Halo Infinite's post-launch content and the reception of the Paramount+ series. With 343 Industries' rebranding to Halo Studios and a shift to Unreal Engine, the Halo franchise may be poised for a resurgence. Meanwhile, Jar of Sparks' temporary pause presents an opportunity for the studio to secure a publishing partnership that aligns with its long-term goals.

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