Joseph Staten is leaving Xbox, Microsoft has confirmed

Joseph Staten, chief inventive officer of Halo Infinite and cinematographer on the primary three Halo video games, is leaving Microsoft, the corporate confirmed to IGN.

In its letter, Microsoft didn’t say the place Staten was going subsequent, nor why he left Microsoft after 9 years.

A press release from a Microsoft spokesperson learn: “We’re grateful for Joseph’s contributions to the Halo franchise and Xbox as a complete. We want him all the most effective in his new journey.”

Statin himself took to Twitter comment in IGN’s report, saying, “Hey guys, I’m actually leaving Microsoft. I’ll have extra data to share quickly, however for now, I simply need to thank all my fellow Xbox gamers for his or her understanding and assist as I embark on a brand new journey.”

Staten has lengthy been one of the crucial common names behind the Halo franchise, having been the cinematic director on Fight Advanced, Halo 2, and Halo 3, and serving because the lead author on Future whereas Bungie was round.

Finally he left Bungie to work at Microsoft and function Senior Artistic Director, initially avoiding engaged on Halo 343 to deal with shaping the franchise technique for Microsoft Studios’ titles. He returned to the franchise in 2020 as Marketing campaign Mission Lead after which Chief Artistic Officer, overseeing Halo Infinite. He then rejoined Xbox Publishing earlier this 12 months across the identical time Microsoft introduced layoffs of 10,000 staff, together with 343. Staten has additionally written quite a few Halo universe novels.

Rebecca Valentine is a information reporter for IGN. Yow will discover her on Twitter @employee.