Halo Infinite Loses Creative Director Joseph Staten After Nine Years at Microsoft

After more than two decades at Microsoft, Joseph Staten, a veteran of the Halo franchise, has announced his departure from the company. As one of the key creative minds behind the beloved science fiction first-person shooter series, Staten has played an integral role in shaping the Halo universe and its many spin-offs over the years. His departure comes as a surprise to fans and industry insiders alike, and has left many wondering what the future holds for the franchise without his guiding hand. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Staten’s legacy at Microsoft and examine what his absence might mean for the Halo series moving forward.


Joseph Staten, the creative director for Halo Infinite at Microsoft, has left the company after nine years. The news was first reported by IGN and confirmed by Staten on Twitter, though he did not disclose his next move. Xbox thanked Staten for his contributions but did not elaborate on the departure. Staten had previously worked on the first three Halo games at Bungie before joining Microsoft in 2014 as senior creative director for Xbox publishing. In 2020, he joined 343 Industries to work on Halo Infinite but left the company after Microsoft laid off over 10,000 employees in January.


As Joseph Staten bids farewell to Microsoft after two decades of service, the gaming community cannot help but feel a sense of loss. As one of the key figures behind the Halo franchise, his contributions to the gaming world have been immense. Staten’s talent and dedication have not only helped shape Halo into the iconic game it is today, but they have also paved the way for countless other titles to follow. While his departure may be a shock to many, his legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of Halo fans worldwide. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors, and may he continue to inspire the gaming industry with his remarkable talent.