Jerry Hook's Jar of Sparks, a NetEase-backed studio, has paused development on its debut game project and is actively searching for 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 create "next-generation narrative-driven action games."
NetEase, a global gaming giant, currently supports live-service titles like Once Human and Marvel Rivals. The latter recently launched Season 1 and is preparing for the addition of the Fantastic Four in January 2025.
Hook's LinkedIn post confirmed the development pause, emphasizing the studio's search for a publisher who can fully realize their creative vision. He expressed pride in the team's innovative work, despite the setback. While layoffs weren't explicitly stated, Hook indicated the team will be exploring new opportunities and seeking new positions in the coming weeks.
This situation mirrors the experience of other veteran developers who've partnered with NetEase, such as Hiroyuki Kobayashi, former Resident Evil producer, who founded GPTRACK50 Studios in 2022.
The future of Jar of Sparks remains uncertain, but the news comes at a time of potential resurgence for the Halo franchise. Following 343 Industries' rebranding to Halo Studios and a shift to Unreal Engine, the franchise may be poised for a comeback.
